Governance 2026
Governance Benchmarks 2026 – model banks analysis
Data reveals differences between groups in board composition, legal protections and more
Pensions and staff morale least likely to constitute staffing challenge
Degree of concern varies by size of central bank
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
Roughly 40% of central banks lack a monetary policy committee
Governing boards remain widely responsible for setting overall strategy
One in six central banks is being recapitalised
Process is ‘not as smooth as we would want it to be’, benchmark respondent says
Governors of smaller central banks earn slightly below global average
But governors’ salaries remain above $200,000 a year
European governors serve longest average term length
Central bank governors rarely appointed for one term or 3+ terms
One-fifth of central banks say governing laws are inappropriate
Government still sets salaries at one-tenth of jurisdictions
One in five smaller central banks lacks fining powers
Respondents still widely manage FX reserves and act as lender of last resort