In accordance with the founding act of 1984, all works of art, maps, and coins that belonged to the Bank were transferred to the curatorship of the Foundation in order to be safeguarded and preserved. The original nuclei of these collections are developing into sizable depositories of exceptional quality.

Each of the collections is linked to a long-term project. These projects have far-reaching potential for research, publishing, and public pedagogy through carefully designed educational programmes, specialized lectures and seminars, and temporary and permanent exhibitions.