Stirring controversy within the European Central Bank (ECB), it has been revealed that President Christine Lagarde receives an annual salary of approximately €140,000 as a member of the Board of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). This disclosure raises questions about the adherence to internal ECB rules, which explicitly prohibit employees from accepting remuneration from third parties for activities connected to their official duties. Employees have expressed their discontent through internal forums, claiming the situation reflects preferential treatment at the top levels of the ECB.

The report, backed by findings from the Financial Times, has amplified discussions among ECB staff who are questioning the transparency of remuneration practices within the organization. The revelation of Lagarde's salary has not only sparked internal debate but has also drawn attention to the overarching policies governing employee conduct and compensation at the ECB. Employees are voicing concerns that such payments undermine the credibility of the ECB’s regulations.

Lagarde is one of 18 leading central bankers globally who serve on the BIS Board, an institution established in 1930 functioning as a 'bank for central banks.' The BIS stipulates stable annual compensation alongside variable attendance fees, making the case for Lagarde's remuneration appear even more contentious in light of ECB's strict stance against external compensation, potentially leading to calls for a reevaluation of these standards within the ECB itself.