New York, August 23, 2012 - Global Finance magazine has named the heads of the Central Banks of six countries as the World's Best Central Bankers over the past year.

The "Central Banker Report Card" feature, published annually by Global Finance since 1994, grades Central Bank Governors of 50 key countries (and the ECB) on an "A" to "F" scale for success in areas such as inflation control, economic growth goals, currency stability and interest rate management. ("A" represents an excellent performance down through "F" for outright failure.) Subjective criteria also apply.

Global Finance publisher Joseph Giarraputo says: "During one of the toughest years on record, the World's Central Bankers were tested as never before. Every year, we assess the determination of Central Bankers to stand up to political interference, and their efforts at influencing their governments on such issues as spending and economic openness to foreign investment and financial services. "