FNB appoints Lytania Johnson as New CEO

First National Bank (FNB) has announced the appointment of Lytania Johnson as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership transition at South Africa’s largest retail bank.

Johnson, a 25-year veteran of FNB and the broader FirstRand Group, will assume the role of FNB CEO while also heading the newly created Retail and Business Banking (RBB) segment. This new structure replaces the previous retail and commercial banking construct and will focus on serving entry-level to middle-income individuals as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Johnson currently serves as Chief Executive of FNB’s Personal Segment, a position she has held since January 2023. Her extensive career at the bank spans multiple senior roles, including Chief Risk Officer for various segments, Chief Ethics Officer, and CEO of the eWallet business, demonstrating deep expertise across risk management, ethics, and customer-facing banking operations.

Commenting on her appointment and the new structure, Lytania Johnson said the prospects for FNB remain compelling.

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“FNB has so many leading customer propositions built on the back of a strong culture of innovation and the promise of Help,” she stated. “This simplified structure will accelerate the bank’s ability to serve its customers better and offer these propositions in a focused and efficient manner to both existing and new bank customers.”

She added that combining retail and business banking under one segment will enable the bank to deliver more integrated solutions. “By bringing together retail and business banking, we can better serve entrepreneurs, small businesses, and households who require solutions that can cover their personal and business needs — helping more customers participate effectively in the economy.”

The appointment forms part of a broader leadership and structural overhaul at FirstRand, aimed at enhancing focus, accountability, and operational efficiency in serving South Africa’s diverse customer base.

Johnson’s elevation from within the organisation underscores FNB’s commitment to internal talent development and continuity of its customer-centric innovation culture.