It differs from a reserve bank in that it does not necessarily control monetary policy (the state in question may have no legal capacity to create monetary policy), but instead usually offers only retail and commercial services.
See erineb reservpangast selle poolest, et see ei pruugi ilmtingimata kontrollida rahapoliitikat (kõnealusel riigil ei pruugi olla oskusi rahapoliitika loomiseks), vaid selle asemele pakub see jae- ja kommertsteenuseid.