The Banque de France is the central bank of France established on 18 January 1800 by Napoléon Bonaparte to restore confidence in the French banking system after revolution. It was nationalized in 1946 and gained greater autonomy from the government in 1993, a requirement of membership in the EU. The main task of the Bank is to implement the interest rate policy of the European System of Central Banks. Currently, The Banque de France employs about 11,700 people and has 95 branches, 20 economic centres and 78 customer service and information offices.