Perng Fai-nan
Perng Fai-nan | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 2, 1939 Taiwan |
| Occupation(s) | Economist, Banker |
| Years active | 1998–2018 (as Central Bank governor) |
| Known for | Longest-serving governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan); awarded "Best Central Banker in the world" fourteen times |
Perng Fai-nan (; born 2 January 1939) is a distinguished Taiwanese economist who held the position of governor at the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 25 February 1998 until 26 February 2018, marking the longest period anyone has served in this role. He received the title of "Best Central Banker in the world" for fourteen years (2000, 2005–2017) as awarded by Global Finance.
Education
Perng completed his undergraduate studies in economics at the College of Law and Business, National Chung Hsing University (currently known as National Taipei University) in 1962. He then pursued and obtained a master's degree in economics from the University of Minnesota in 1971.
Career
With a background in economics, Perng rose to prominence as a banker by the year 2000, consistently featuring on Global Finance magazine’s list of the "world's top bankers" for eight straight years. He played a crucial role in stabilizing Taiwan’s banking industry amid two significant financial crises.
Although regarded as a top contender for the premiership during President Ma Ying-jeou's tenure, Perng chose to forgo political appointments to focus on his responsibilities at the central bank. Renowned for his exceptional dedication, he is said to work nearly every day of the year.
During his governorship, Perng skillfully managed Taiwan’s export-oriented economy alongside maintaining flexibility in foreign exchange policies while fostering economic growth and controlling inflation. Under his guidance, the central bank became a dependable pillar of economic stability, earning him considerable esteem within Taiwan’s business community. His leadership was widely acknowledged as instrumental in preserving Taiwan’s currency stability.