Majority of central banks posted profit in last year
Largest share of profit-makers have no dividend-sharing contract with government
Three in four central banks realised a profit in the 2025 fiscal year, the Governance Benchmarks 2026 find.
Fifty-eight of 65 benchmark respondents shared data in this section. Of these, 45 or 77.6% reported making a profit in the period under consideration.
Additional information from 59 respondents shows that four-fifths of central banks have a formal (79.7%) profit-sharing agreement with their governments. Eleven institutions have “no agreement” (18.6%), while one central bank says its
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More on Governance
Half of central banks prohibit senior officials’ shareholdings
Minority of respondents working to adopt other internal policies
Non-executive directors earn five times less than governors
NEDs work an average of 14 hours weekly, Governance Benchmarks 2026 find
Boards with salary-setting duties have largest membership
Greatest number of non-execs appointed by government
Roughly 40% of central banks lack a monetary policy committee
Governing boards remain widely responsible for setting overall strategy
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One-fifth of central banks say governing laws are inappropriate
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