Top Swiss central banker to retire

GENEVA – Switzerland’s top central banker, Jean-Pierre Roth, will retire at the end of 2009, the Swiss National Bank said in a statement Friday.

"Jean-Pierre Roth has informed the Bank Council of his wish (to step down) on Friday," the SNB said.

Roth, who joined the central bank almost three decades ago, was chairman of the SNB’s governing board since 2001.

Roth dealt with several challenges in his term as chairman, including introduction of the euro, the sharp appreciation of the Swiss franc following the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States and the liquidity crunch in the ongoing financial and economic crisis.

Roth, 63, who also chairs the board of directors at the Bank for International Settlements, the bank for central bankers, is also credited with expanding SNB’s international profile.

"The Bank Council and the Governing Board express to Jean-Pierre Roth their deep gratitude and appreciation for his long-lasting commitment to a monetary policy aimed at stability and for his invaluable services to the Swiss National Bank," the statement said.

AFP / Expatica