Michael Bilski, CEO and chair of North American Banking Company, Roseville, Minn., was named chair of the U.S. Faster Payments Council.
A long-time proponent of faster-payments solutions, Bilski drove development of NABC’s ExcheQ person‐to‐person payment app, which it recently sold to United Bankers’ Bank, Bloomington, Minn.
“It’s an honor to serve as the inaugural chairperson for the FPC and to help expand upon the strong foundation we’ve laid,” states Bilski. “Countless hours have driven us to where we are today, but there’s much more to come. FPC member commitment is unparalleled, and with that level of passion comes action. Together, we will create a U.S. faster payments system that supports today’s needs and tomorrow’s demands.”
Bilski was elected to serve a three-year term along with two other officers:
- Vice Chair Deborah Matthews Phillips, Managing Director, Payment Strategy, Jack Henry & Associates Inc.
- Secretary/Treasurer: Reed Luhtanen, Senior Director, Global Treasury, Walmart Inc.
In addition to securing officers, the board meeting focused on significant strategic tasks. Beyond existing programs, the board discussed standing up new work groups and supporting those efforts with a comprehensive call-for volunteers for all open projects. Additional announcements on these topics will be coming in the following weeks.
This week, the organization announced its first executive director, Kimberly Ford. Most recently with First Data Corporation as senior vice president and head of global
government affairs, Ford brings extensive industry knowledge to the position. Her first day will be Monday, June 24.
Based in Wakefield, Macc., the FPC is an industry-led membership organization whose mission is to facilitate a world class payment system where Americans can safely and securely pay anyone, anywhere, at any time and with near-immediate funds availability.