Palestinian Monetary Authority

The Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA; Arabic: سلطة النقد الفلسطينية) is the monetary authority and banking regulator of the State of Palestine. Established in 1994 pursuant to the Oslo Accords and the Paris Protocol on Economic Relations, the PMA was created to develop and supervise the Palestinian banking and financial system in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Headquartered in Ramallah, the Authority performs many of the functions typically associated with a central bank, although it does not issue a national currency. The PMA is governed by a Governor appointed by the President of Palestine and operates under the Palestinian Monetary Authority Law and related financial legislation.

The Palestinian Monetary Authority is responsible for supervising banks, regulating payment systems, maintaining financial stability, promoting the safety and soundness of the banking sector, and supporting the development of Palestine's financial system. Its principal functions include licensing and supervising banks and financial institutions, overseeing payment and settlement systems, regulating electronic payment services, promoting financial inclusion, managing foreign exchange operations, combating money laundering and terrorist financing, and developing prudential regulations in line with international standards. Since Palestine does not have an independent national currency, the economy primarily uses the Israeli new shekel, the Jordanian dinar, and the United States dollar as legal means of payment, with the PMA managing monetary affairs within this multi-currency framework.

In addition to banking supervision, the PMA conducts economic research, financial stability assessments, statistical reporting, and policy development relating to banking, payments, digital financial services, financial technology (fintech), cybersecurity, and consumer protection. The Authority has undertaken initiatives to modernize Palestine's payment infrastructure through real-time payment systems, electronic clearing services, digital banking, and financial inclusion programmes. It also promotes the adoption of international banking standards, strengthens regulatory capacity, and supports sustainable economic development through a stable and resilient financial sector.

The Palestinian Monetary Authority works closely with institutions including the Palestine Capital Market Authority, the Ministry of Finance, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, and domestic financial institutions. Internationally, it cooperates with organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). Through banking supervision, payment system oversight, financial sector development, and international cooperation, the Palestinian Monetary Authority plays a central role in promoting financial stability and supporting the development of the Palestinian economy.