ECB President Lagarde resigns effective Feb 7

FRANKFURT, Oct 29 (Reuters) - European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde had resigned and will step down on February 7, the ECB said in a statement on Thursday.

"European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde today informed the Governing Council and the President of the European Council António Costa that she will step down from her position on 7 February 2027," the ECB said.

Lagarde's term was scheduled to run until the end of October 2027 but speculation about an early departure had been mounting for months, with the World Economic Forum seen as a likely destination.

The ECB is due to announce its interest rate decision at 1315 GMT on Thursday, followed by Lagarde's regular press conference at 1345 GMT.

(Reporting by Francesco Canepa and Balazs Koranyi)