Christine Lagarde exits early: European Central Bank chief shocks markets by stepping down.

European Central Bank President <b>Christine Lagarde</b> has announced her shock resignation, stepping down effective <b>February 7</b>, a full nine months before her official term ends.<br><br>Because nothing screams financial stability quite like the captain abandoning the ship just before the destination. Bureaucratic exits at the top rarely happen without some heavy boardroom drama behind closed doors.<br><br>Markets are left guessing what forced this early departure.