The European Central Bank said on Thursday that director Isabel Schnabel will step down ahead of schedule and move to the International Monetary Fund.
Schnabel’s departure will become effective on 3 January 2027. Until that date she will retain her current responsibilities, after which a successor will be appointed by the European Council. If needed, her duties may be temporarily redistributed among the remaining board members.
On 4 January 2027 she is slated to take charge of the IMF’s Money and Capital Markets Department.
Schnabel’s eight‑year term at the ECB was originally set to run until the end of 2027. She is one of two women on the ECB Governing Council and leads the market‑operations portfolio.
