Peruvian Central Reserve Bank (BCR) Governor Julio Velarde has been named Central Banker of the Year 2022 for the Americas by the international magazine
The Banker, of the Financial Times Group, in recognition of his outstanding work in 2021.
The prestigious financial magazine, based in London, bestows this award to central bank governors that have best managed to stimulate growth and stabilize their economy.
"Few in Latin America have held a post and enjoyed sustained international respect for as long as Julio Velarde has. At the helm of Peru's Central Bank since 2006, Mr. Velarde has remained a calming figure, both in political and economic terms, even during tumultuous times. During his tenure, the country has been run by seven different presidents," The Banker stated.
The publication also noted Velarde's handling of the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The decline in economic activity had severe implications on liquidity, to which the central bank responded with prompt measures, including not only considerable direct monetary injections to support the payment system, but also a drop in the policy rate to historically low levels," the magazine said.
The Banker commented that it does not offer a lifetime achievement award to central bank governors, but if it did, Mr. Velarde would be a strong candidate for the Latin American trophy.
About Velarde
The economist has also been named Central Banker of the Year 2016 for Latin America by global finance magazine Global Markets, Central Bank Governor of the Year 2016 by LatinFinance, and Best Central Banker of 2015 and 2016 by Global Finance.
In 2010, he was named the Emerging Markets' Central Bank Governor of the Year for Latin America.
Additionally, the head of the BCR is among central bankers with the highest approval rating in the world, according to the 2021 report prepared by the specialized magazine Global Finance.
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Published: 1/7/2022