Central banks differ from commercial banks in many respects:

（1） they do not aim to maximize profits, which is traditionally an objective of a commercial bank owned by shareholders³ （central banks are normally nationalized institutions）;

（2） they have a supervisory role over the commercial banks;

（3） they are able to influence the actions of the commercial banks and other financial institutions, particularly with regard to lending;

（4） they control the issue of notes and coin;

（5） they do not compete for business with the commercial banks, but they usually maintain the Government bank accounts;

（2）中央银行对商业银行行使监督职能；

（3）中央银行能够对商业银行及其他金融机构的经营活动，尤其是信贷方面的经营活动施加影响；

（4）中央银行控制钞票、硬币的发行；

（5）中央银行在业务上不与商业银行竞争，但中央银行通常管理政府在银行的账户；

（6）中央银行充当银行系统的“最后贷款人”；

（7）中央银行对个人及商业客户不提供全面的金融服务。