Tetangco named among top central bankers anew

MANILA, Philippines - New York-based business magazine Global Finance has named Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. one of the world’s top central bankers for the seventh time.

Tetangco again earned a prestigious “A” grade on Global Finance’s Central Banker Report Cards together with eight other heads of central banks all over the world.

Other central bankers who received “A” grades were from the Czech Republic, the European Union, India, Israel, Malaysia, Paraguay, Peru, and Taiwan.

The central bankers of Colombia, Saudi Arabia and the United States earned “A-” grades.

Tetangco has earned the feat for the past five years since 2011. He also received the prestigious “A” grade in 2006 and 2007. He is the first central bank governor to serve the BSP in two consecutive terms after being reappointed by President Aquino in 2011.

Tetangco, who became BSP governor in 2005, will be in office until 2017.

Global Finance publisher and editorial director Joseph Giarraputo said global economies are starting to recover.

“This comes despite a number of challenges, including a strengthening US dollar and the end of the Federal Reserve’s easy money policy. Central bankers remain crucial in overcoming these hurdles. Sound monetary policies can dampen the effects of currency swings and rising interest rates—and thus spur economic growth,” Giarraputo added.

The Central Banker Report Cards, published annually by Global Finance since 1994, grade the central bank governors of nearly 75 key countries (and the European Union) on an “A” to “F” scale for success in areas such as inflation control, economic growth goals, currency stability and interest rate management.

“A” represents an excellent performance down through “F” for outright failure.

“As our scores show, some central banks have fared better than others in devising such policies. Our grades also reflect the willingness of central bankers to stand up to political interference as well as their ability to influence government policies on spending and foreign investment,” Giarraputo said.

The full Central Banker Report Cards 2015 report will be published in the October issue of Global Finance.