The Central Bank of Honduras () is the central bank of Honduras, established in 1950. The president of the bank is appointed by President of Honduras for a term of four years. The current bank president is Roberto Lagos Mondragon.
History
The Central Bank of Honduras was created under Legislative Decree No. 53 on 3 February 1950 and commenced operations on 1 July of that year, with Roberto Ramírez serving as its first head. The opening ceremony was presided over by President Juan Manuel Gálvez.
The institution was created to centralise the issuance of currency and to oversee the country’s monetary, exchange, and credit policies. Its establishment followed earlier economic developments in Honduras, including the adoption of the lempira as the national currency in 1926 and its introduction into circulation in the 1930s. Before the creation of the Central Bank, financial activity in the country was limited, with only a small number of banks operating in major cities such as Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and La Ceiba.
The bank's founding enabled the nationalisation of the means of payment and provided a framework for the implementation of coordinated monetary policy. Under its founding legislation, the Central Bank became the sole issuer of legal tender in Honduras and assumed responsibility for maintaining monetary stability.
In 1975, a commemorative medal was issued to mark the bank's 25th anniversary.
In 1996, the National Congress approved reforms to the Central Bank law through Decree No. 228-96, aimed at modernising the institution and adapting its functions to evolving financial market conditions. Subsequent amendments have focused on strengthening the bank’s autonomy and reinforcing its role as the country’s principal monetary authority.
Presidents Name Took office Left officeRoberto Ramírez Ordóñez19501971Alberto Galeano19711975Guillermo BuesoMay 1975July 1979Práxedes Martínez SilvaAugust 1979February 1982Gonzalo CaríasMarch 1982January 1990Ricardo MaduroFebruary 1990January 1994Hugo Noé PinoFebruary 1994February 1998Emin Barjum MahomarFebruary 1998June 1999Victoria Asfura de DíazJune 1999January 2002Maria Elena MondragónJanuary 2002January 2006Gabriela NúñezJanuary 2006January 2008Edwin Araque BonillaJanuary 2008June 2009Sandra MidenceJuly 2009January 2010Maria Elena MondragónJanuary 2010January 2014Marlon Tábora MuñozJanuary 2014July 2015Manuel de Jesús BautistaJanuary 2016January 2018Wilfredo CerratoJanuary 2018January 2022Rebeca SantosJanuary 2022January 2026Roberto Lagos MondragonJanuary 2026Incumbent
See also List of central banks
References
External links
Official site of Banco Central de Honduras