KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City announces that Kim Robbins, first vice president and chief operating officer, has been selected chief payments executive of Federal Reserve Financial Services, effective Nov. 16. In this role, Robbins will assume leadership of the Federal Reserve’s portfolio of financial services, including retail, wholesale, securities and instant payment offerings across the United States.
Robbins succeeds Mark Gould, who announced his retirement as chief payments executive earlier this year.
“Kim’s leadership and vision as first vice president have been instrumental to the Bank in meeting our mission in a time of rapid change,” said Jeff Schmid, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. “Her experience, skill and strategic perspective will ensure continued strength by the Fed in providing secure, efficient and resilient payments services.”
As a result of Robbins’ appointment, the Kansas City Fed has launched an immediate search to fill the first vice president and chief operating officer (COO) position. Per Federal Reserve guidelines, a committee led by Jandel Allen-Davis, chair of the Kansas City Board, and made up of members of the Bank’s Board of Directors not affiliated with the banking industry, will be formed to lead the search for Robbins’ successor. The Bank’s Class B and C directors will appoint the first vice president, subject to the approval of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
Robbins has served as first vice president and COO of the Kansas City Fed since 2024, where she led operations, risk, finance, people and culture, information technology and Treasury services. Before being appointed first vice president, Robbins had more than 20 years of experience in the Federal Reserve System, including leadership of payments modernization, large-scale technology transformation and cross-organizational initiatives.
Previously, she served as chief of enterprise services for Federal Reserve Financial Services and as the first chief administrative officer of the FedNow Service. Prior to her work on payments innovation, Robbins held several leadership positions at the Kansas City Fed. Her perspective on payments and operations is also informed by seven years in global retail at GAP Inc. and Payless ShoeSource, where she managed multimillion-dollar business lines and developed expertise in global commerce, revenue optimization and performance-driven strategies. She is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and serves on the advisory board of the university’s business school.
About the Kansas City Fed
As the regional headquarters of the nation’s central bank, the Kansas City Fed and its branch offices in Denver, Oklahoma City and Omaha serve the Tenth District: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, northern New Mexico and western Missouri.
About Federal Reserve Financial Services
Federal Reserve Financial Services provides payments services and seeks to foster the stability, integrity and efficiency of the nation’s monetary, financial and payment systems. It offers a comprehensive suite of payment and information services to financial institutions. Visit FRBservices.org for additional information.
The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City or the Federal Reserve System.