Vladimír Masár
Vladimír Masár | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 2, 1958 Partizánske, Czechoslovakia |
| Occupation(s) | Economist, Banker |
| Years active | 1988–2020 |
| Known for | First Governor of the National Bank of Slovakia (1993–1999) |
Vladimír Masár (born 2 May 1958 in Partizánske, Czechoslovakia) served as the inaugural Governor of the National Bank of Slovakia from 1993 until 1999. As the first individual to hold this position following Slovakia's independence, he was instrumental in launching and stabilizing the newly introduced currency, the Slovak crown. During his tenure, Masár also focused on developing the bank’s professional framework and fostering its international connections. He adhered to the conservative monetary stance established during the Czechoslovak era and successfully preserved financial stability despite fiscal pressures under Mečiar's administration.
Career
Masár completed his studies at the University of Economics in Bratislava in 1988 before initially working within commercial banking. Subsequently, he took on the role of deputy Finance Minister for the newly formed Slovak Republic. He led the preparatory committee responsible for establishing the National Bank of Slovakia and was appointed as its first governor. After concluding his service at the central bank, Masár moved into the private sector, assuming the position of chairman at Deloitte Slovakia. He retired in May 2020 upon reaching Deloitte’s partner retirement age limit of 62.
Controversy
In the period leading up to Masár’s retirement, Deloitte encountered allegations from high-profile politicians, including Economy Minister Richard Sulík, accusing the firm of facilitating public fund misappropriation. Masár refuted these claims.