Get ready for a major shake-up in the world of central banking innovation! Tommaso Mancini-Griffoli is set to take the helm of the BIS Innovation Hub, and his appointment is already sparking conversations about the future of financial technology. But here's where it gets exciting: How will his extensive background in payments, currencies, and infrastructure shape the Hub's global initiatives?
Tommaso Mancini-Griffoli, currently serving as Assistant Director for Payments, Currencies, and Infrastructure at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has been appointed as the new Head of the BIS Innovation Hub. He’ll officially join the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) on 1 March 2026, stepping into a role that’s critical for driving technological advancements within the central banking community. And this is the part most people miss: His five-year term will not only focus on exploring cutting-edge solutions but also on fostering collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen the global financial system.
As a senior member of the BIS leadership team, Mancini-Griffoli will lead the Hub’s mission to promote international cooperation on fintech innovation. With a global presence across seven centers—Frankfurt/Paris, Hong Kong SAR, London, Singapore, Stockholm, Switzerland, and Toronto—the BIS Innovation Hub is uniquely positioned to tackle critical challenges. But here's where it gets controversial: How will the Hub balance its partnerships, including its strategic alliance with the Federal Reserve System, while maintaining its independence and global impact?
Mancini-Griffoli brings a wealth of experience to the table. Since joining the IMF in 2011, he’s held key leadership roles in monetary policy, central banking operations, and financial market infrastructures. He currently chairs the IMF’s coordination group on digital money and represents the organization in international forums. Before the IMF, he advised the Swiss National Bank as a senior economist and held positions at Goldman Sachs, the Boston Consulting Group, and a Silicon Valley tech startup. With a PhD in economics from the Graduate Institute in Geneva, an MA from the London School of Economics, and a double BA from Stanford University, his credentials are as impressive as they are diverse.
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: As central banks increasingly embrace digital currencies and fintech, how will Mancini-Griffoli’s leadership shape the future of money? Will his focus on innovation lead to more resilient financial systems, or could it introduce new risks? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your perspective!
He succeeds Cecilia Skingsley, who moved on to become County Governor of Stockholm, Sweden. Until Mancini-Griffoli’s arrival, Andréa M. Maechler, Deputy General Manager of the BIS, will serve as Acting Head of the Innovation Hub. With such a dynamic transition underway, one thing is clear: the BIS Innovation Hub is poised to make waves in the years to come.
