Ilan Goldfajn was appointed as the new Governor of the Central Bank today (May 17). He will stand a confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs for approval. His name was announced by Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles.

Ilan Goldfajn has public sector experience, having served as as Director of Economic Policy of the Central Bank between 2000 and 2003, under the governorship of Armínio Fraga. He is the Chief Economist of one of Brazil's biggest banks, Itaú-Unibanco.

Goldfajn is an economist with a master's degree from the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro and a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was a consultant for international organizations (such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the United Nations), the Brazilian government, and the private sector.