She has only been in Frankfurt since 2019 but is already considered a prominent figure in the financial centre. Fritzi Köhler-Geib, the 46-year-old economist, is expected to relocate her workplace from the Palmengarten to Mainzer Landstraße this autumn. This is because the state of Hesse, which has the right of proposal in this case, will nominate her as a member of the executive board of the Deutsche Bundesbank.

According to reports, Minister President Boris Rhein considered it important in this personnel matter to find a woman who is both independent and professionally knowledgeable, bringing competence and international experience. Köhler-Geib excels with her expertise and international perspective, as well as her independent spirit. Born in Bad Godesberg, she studied and earned her doctorate in Switzerland, France, the United States, Spain, and Germany – and subsequently worked for the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. During her twelve years at these institutions, her main focus was on observing and analysing financial and monetary policy developments in Latin America.

Five years ago, she joined the KfW Bankengruppe in Frankfurt as Chief Economist, where she has since been particularly engaged in studying the economic potential and innovation capabilities of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Germany, among many other topics. From skilled labour shortages to entrepreneurial spirit, from access to financing to coping with rising energy costs, Köhler-Geib's approach in her studies is typified by not only identifying deficiencies but also in discussing potential solutions.

Köhler-Geib is industrious in the best sense of the word. She is curious when it comes to analytically investigating economic developments. She pays close attention when her conversation partners present arguments. In panel debates, she is not only a sought-after speaker but also an attentive listener. Yet, she always provides a pointed opinion and assessment grounded less in political ideologies and more in economic indicators, bolstered by years of experience and knowledge of economic issues.

On the Bundesbank executive board, she will reunite with someone she has previously collaborated with. President Joachim Nagel was still on the board of KfW Group when Köhler-Geib was appointed Chief Economist of the development bank. Alongside Sabine Mauderer, she will be the second woman in the six-member leadership team of the central bank, which also includes Burkhard Balz and will soon include the former North Rhine-Westphalian Finance Minister Lutz Lienenkämper, and the parliamentary state secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, Michael Theurer.

Köhler-Geib still needs confirmation from the Bundesrat in agreement with the federal government, and appointment by the Federal President, but this step is considered a formality. The target date for her appointment for a term of eight years is the meeting of the Bundesrat in September.

The allocation of responsibilities will be negotiated within the board. Köhler-Geib is likely to take responsibility for the Economics department. Mauderer is designated for the position of Vice President, succeeding Claudia Buch, who left the Bundesbank to become Europe's top banking supervisor as Chair of the Single Supervisory Board.