Taipei: Yang Chin-long, governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan), has been awarded an "A-" grade by New York-based Global Finance magazine, according to the publication's Central Banker Report Cards 2026 released Tuesday. This accolade marks the second consecutive year that Yang has secured an "A-" grade from the respected financial magazine.
According to Focus Taiwan, Yang was among 25 top-tier central bankers worldwide who received an "A+", "A" or "A-" grade. In a statement regarding his ranking, Yang expressed his gratitude through an aide, saying: "Thank you very much. My colleagues and I at the central bank will continue to work hard."
The grading scale used by the magazine ranges from "A" to "F," assessing success in areas such as inflation control, economic growth goals, currency stability, interest rate management, and political independence. While an "A" indicates exemplary performance, an "F" reflects failure. The Central Banker Report Cards, published annually since 1994, evaluate central bank governors' performance across almost 100 countries, territories, and districts, as well as regional banks like the European Union, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the Bank of Central African States, and the Central Bank of West African States.
Joseph Giarraputo, founder and editorial director of Global Finance, commented on the challenges faced by central bank governors, noting their role in balancing inflation pressures, economic growth, and maintaining market confidence. "Global Finance's 'A' Grade Central Bank Governors are leaders who have demonstrated the discipline, independence, and sound judgment needed to deliver stability while guiding their economies through an always unpredictable global environment," Giarraputo stated.
The report highlighted that only two central bankers, from Denmark and Peru, received an "A+" grade this year. Meanwhile, eight central bankers from countries including Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, India, Jamaica, Paraguay, Singapore, and South Africa earned an "A" grade. Alongside Yang, 14 other central bankers from nations such as Albania, Argentina, Cambodia, and the United Arab Emirates received an "A-" grade.
Yang Chin-long, who has been with Taiwan's central bank since 1989, has served as governor since February 2018. His past achievements include receiving an "A" grade in 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023, an "A-" grade in 2021, and a "B+" grade in 2024. His predecessor, Perng Fai-nan, holds the distinction of being the only central banker worldwide to earn the top grade 14 times, achieving straight A's from 2005 to 2017.