Christine Lagarde is under fire within the European Central Bank (ECB) for receiving an annual salary of 140,000 euros from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) as a board member, a practice that contradicts ECB regulations prohibiting its staff from receiving payments from other entities. This revelation has sparked intense reactions among ECB employees, with many decrying the apparent hypocrisy of Lagarde's dual remuneration, particularly in light of the ECB's strict guidelines aimed at preventing conflicts of interest.

Lagarde, one of the world's top central bankers, sits on the BIS Board alongside 18 other distinguished governors. While all of them are entitled to a base salary and performance-related payments, the BIS does not disclose individual compensation details. Nevertheless, Lagarde provided insights into her earnings in a response to German MEP Fabio De Masi and Swedish politician Dick Erixon, revealing that she received 130,457 Swiss francs in 2025, which roughly translates to 140,000 euros, thus highlighting a contradiction that many within the ECB are eager to point out.

The criticism surrounding Lagarde's dual income raises broader questions about transparency and accountability within high-level financial institutions. It underscores ongoing tensions within the ECB about adherence to its own rules, and it reflects the increasing scrutiny on the salaries and compensations of influential financial leaders, especially in the context of the economic challenges Europe faces. This incident may prompt further discussions on governance standards and ethical considerations across central banks.