First National Bank (FNB) Personal Segment CEO Lytania Johnson will assume the role of CEO for FNB in April 2026, succeeding current CEO Harry Kellan.
Kellan, who is the current CEO of the retail and commercial segment and FNB, will take early retirement at the end of 2026.
These changes come as FirstRand implements its major restructuring strategy to improve agility and decision-making, as well as to unlock efficiencies.
Johnson has worked for FNB for 25 years, having started her career in the financial services industry in 2001 in the finance division of FNB Credit Card.
She held several executive positions at FNB, including Risk Manager and, in 2015, CEO of the eWallet business.
In 2016, Johnson became Chief Ethics Officer for FirstRand Group, followed by her appointment as Chief Risk Officer for FNB in 2017, and then to her current position of CEO of Personal Segment since 2023.
In an interview with the Financial Mail, Johnson said that she had received a bursary to study medicine, but chose not to pursue the medical field due to her fear of blood.
Instead, Johnson chose to pursue a career in finance and holds a BComm Management accounting degree, a Certificate in Risk Management, an Advanced Diploma in Risk Management and has completed the Wits Business School Advanced Leadership programme.
Johnson understood the value of work from a young age, having started her first job in high school at 17 years old, working on weekends and school holidays.
From her earnings, she set aside a portion to buy a CD player, and gave another portion to her mother towards her lodging and living costs, which was a principle she was taught as a child.
Although she understood the value of money and earning an income from a young age, Johnson said she wished somebody had taught her how important it is to budget and save from the start of one’s working career, especially for retirement.
She told the Financial Mail that the best investment she ever made was diversifying her portfolio.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected her portfolio, causing losses, she said her decision to play the long game eventually paid off.
FNB’s eWallet service
FNB’s eWallet is a popular solution for South Africans with minimal banking needs. In 2025, FNB recorded customers sending money via eWallet to 8.2 million active users, which equated to over 68 million transactions.
In 2025, eWallet users made R42 billion in withdrawals, a 7% increase from R39 billion the previous year.
“The growth in transactions is also testament to the impact that we are making in the lives of South Africans through solutions that are easily accessible, helpful for their daily lives, and available through our safer digital channels,” said Johnson.
The current eWallet service allows recipients to withdraw cash from FNB ATM networks, selected retailers, FNB standalone merchants, and various fuel stations.
Users can also purchase prepaid airtime and electricity, which allows individuals without bank accounts to participate in financial activities.
In 2025, FNB expanded its eWallet service, offering qualifying individual customers a limited number of free eWallet transfers each month.
Additionally, the bank reported that 10% of the money sent via eWallet, which equates to R199.3 million, was used by recipients to buy prepaid airtime.
Building on the popularity of its eWallet solution and the value it brings to customers, FNB introduced the FNB Easy Zero bank account several years ago.
This account allows customers to transition from using the eWallet service to a traditional bank account.
“This solution was created as a bridge between eWallet and introducing clients to the formal banking ecosystem,” said Johnson.
“As a result, customers can now choose from the best and most affordable options for their unique financial needs.”
In 2022, FNB introduced personalised funeral policies for FNB Easy Zero customers. By 2025, FNB Easy Zero had an active customer base of 1.3 million.
