Brussels, 23/02/2026 (Agence Europe) – A few days after speculation about a possible early departure from the presidency of the European Central Bank (ECB) (see EUROPE 13811/17), Christine Lagarde admitted on Friday 20 February, in an email to MEPs Fabio De Masi (NI, German) and Dick Erixon (ECR, Swedish), that she had received 130,457 Swiss francs (€142,700) from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) for the year 2025, according to a report by the Financial Times. This remuneration, linked to her seat on the Board of Directors of the Basel-based institution, is fuelling controversy, despite the fact that the Frankfurt-based institution's internal rules prohibit its staff from accepting payments from third parties for activities that relate to their official duties. Internally, a number of employees have reportedly expressed unease at what they see as a possible double standard in the application of these rules. (BD)