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14 people have been president of the World Bank since 1946. Ajay Banga has held the post since 2 June 2023.
Every one was a US citizen when appointed, and three were born abroad: James Wolfensohn in Australia, Jim Yong Kim in South Korea and Ajay Banga in India.
Set the Bank up, established it as a lender and built its credit with American investors; the IFC and IDA were created.
Recast the Bank as a development institution, with McNamara turning it towards people living in extreme poverty.
Adjustment lending in the 1980s debt crisis, then former Soviet republics joining; Preston died in office.
Debt relief and anti-corruption under Wolfensohn, Wolfowitz's resignation in 2007, then the 2008-09 global financial crisis.
Three presidents since 2012, including the incumbent; two of the three were born outside the United States.
Can you name them all?
Test yourself14 people have been president of the World Bank since 1946. Ajay Banga has held the post since 2 June 2023.
Eugene Meyer, John J. McCloy, Eugene Black, George Woods, Robert McNamara, A. W. Clausen, Barber Conable, Lewis Preston, James Wolfensohn, Paul Wolfowitz, Robert Zoellick, Jim Yong Kim, David Malpass and Ajay Banga.
Every one was a US citizen when appointed, and three were born abroad: James Wolfensohn in Australia, Jim Yong Kim in South Korea and Ajay Banga in India.
Each name checked against at least two sources, one of them World Bank Group Archives, on 2 October 2026. Next review by 2 October 2027.
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