Changes At FNB

FirstRand has announced a leadership change at First National Bank, along with a broader rethink of how the bank is structured.

Lytania Johnson, who has been with the group for 25 years, will take over as CEO.

The changes follow a period where FNB has had to adjust how it organises its customers. FNB says the goal now is to simplify that structure and make the business easier to manage. The move is part of a wider shift happening inside the group rather than something customers or Debt Counsellors will immediately see.

‘One of the main changes is the move away from the old retail and commercial split’

One of the main changes is the move away from the old retail and commercial split. In its place, FNB is introducing a “retail and business banking” unit that will cover everyday consumers and small to medium sized businesses together.

FNB says this is to make the bank more responsive and better aligned with how customers actually manage their money.

Lytania Johnson will head up this combined unit while also serving as CEO.

Other areas, like private banking and large corporate clients, will continue as separate divisions. Current CEO Harry Kellan is set to step down and retire in 2026 after helping drive this restructuring process.

From the outside, this pretty much looks like a typical simplification exercise by a very large bank. FNB says the changes are meant to improve decision making, reduce complexity, and help the bank respond faster to customer needs.

Whether that translates into a noticeable difference for customers will depend on how the new structure works in practice. For now, the impact is mostly behind the scenes.