The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce (Handelskammer Hamburg) is the chamber of commerce for the city state of Hamburg, and was founded in 1665, originally named the Commerz-Deputation. Hamburg has for centuries been a commercial centre of Northern Europe, and the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce currently has 160,000 companies as its members. The chamber has several official responsibilities. The Hamburg Stock Exchange (founded in 1558) is owned by and subordinate to the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce.