Republic of China (Taiwan) Central Bank Gov. Perng Fai-nan was again named Aug. 29 one of the world’s leading central bankers by Global Finance magazine, becoming the first person to earn “A” ratings in 14 editions of the New York-headquartered publication’s annual report.
In the 2017 survey of central bank heads in 83 countries and the EU, Perng and eight counterparts around the world received an “A” score for excellent performance in areas spanning currency stability, economic growth goals, inflation control and interest rate management. Taiwan’s central bank governor, who garnered his first top rating in 2000, has now received the maximum grade for 13 consecutive years.
Besides Perng, the other central bank chiefs to secure an “A” score are those from Australia, Honduras, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, Paraguay, Russia and the U.S. The central bank heads of Brazil, Dominican Republic and Jordan were awarded “A-” ratings.
According to Global Finance, governors who earned the “A” or “A-” grade will be honored at a ceremony Oct. 14 in Washington during the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund.
Founded in 1987, Global Finance launched its annual report cards for central bank heads in 1994. Joseph Giarraputo, the monthly magazine’s publisher and editorial director, said the latest edition notes that global central bankers are entering a tightening phase as they try to pull back from monetary policies such as quantitative easing.
“Our performance reviews for these finance leaders show that some manage to stay ahead of the curve even under difficult circumstances, while others are hampered by political or economic realities,” he wrote.
Perng, who took up his post in 1998, is the longest-serving head of the ROC Central Bank. Late last year, he announced that his fourth and current term running until February 2018 would be his last. (KWS-E)
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