Governance Benchmarks 2026 – legal matters
Data reveals challenges relating to financial independence and legal protections for officials
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Many central banks are still struggling with shortcomings in the legislation that governs their operations. Nearly one-fifth of respondents (18.8%) say the central bank law in their jurisdiction is “inappropriate in scope or wording”, the Governance Benchmarks 2026 show. Comments from respondents and data on independence in different areas suggests that a lack of financial independence and the involvement of politicians in central bank
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More on Governance
Governors still lack immunity
Benchmarks data gives mixed picture on the protections officials can expect from criminal and civil actions
Independence lower where central banks face legal issues
Financial independence a bigger problem where central banks say law is inappropriately worded
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Governance Benchmarks 2026 Charts
Take a deep dive into the Governance Benchmarks charts, which have just been released for 2026
Majority of central banks posted profit in last year
Largest share of profit-makers have no dividend-sharing contract with government
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