JOHANNESBURG, March 30, 2026 — South African financial services group FirstRand said on Monday that it will consolidate parts of its banking arm, First National Bank, and make several senior executive changes as it simplifies its operating model. The bank said the changes replace the existing retail and commercial segments with a new unified retail and business banking division. Harry Kellan, who has led FNB since April 2024 and spent 22 years with the group, will retire at the end of this year, bringing to a close a long period of leadership that included a decade as chief financial officer of FirstRand before becoming FNB chief executive. The moves follow similar simplification efforts by other lenders across South Africa’s banking sector as competition and product commoditization shape how institutions serve clients.

Leadership Changes

Lytania Takes the Helm at FNB: Lytania Johnson, who currently leads FNB’s personal banking subsegment, will become chief executive officer of both the new retail and business banking division and FNB overall. Lytania has spent 25 years at FirstRand and has headed the personal banking segment for the past three years, giving her extensive experience with both customer-facing operations and institutional strategy. Her appointment brings continuity as the bank links personal and business banking under one division that will serve a wide range of clients from entry-level households to small and medium-sized enterprises. Lytania said the new structure will help the bank better serve clients who need solutions spanning their personal and business financial needs. 

Executive Roles for Specialized Segments: Alongside Lytania’s expanded role, FirstRand also announced leadership for other key segments. Sizwe Nxedlana will lead a newly created standalone private banking and wealth management division, focusing on high-net-worth clients and tailored financial services. The enterprise and public sector businesses that were part of the commercial segment will now sit within a commercial and corporate banking unit led by Muneer Ismail. These changes create distinct leadership for each major client group while aligning those units with the bank’s broader strategic goals, ensuring that executives can focus on delivering specialized services that reflect client needs.

Consolidating Services

Under the new structure, the retail and business banking division will serve both individuals and small business clients, unifying offerings that were previously separate. FirstRand said the consolidation aims to reduce complexity and ensure a consistent experience across personal and business banking, reflecting how customer expectations have evolved. Employees from the merged segments will work together to provide solutions that reflect the financial realities of clients who may require both personal and business services. The changes also put FirstRand in line with other South African banks that are simplifying segment models as part of responses to growing product commoditization and competition.

Strategic Appointments Beyond FNB

In addition to the leadership changes at FNB, FirstRand appointed Gert Kruger, formerly the group chief risk officer, as group chief operating officer. The bank said this appointment supports broader operational oversight across its business and aligns with the group’s efforts to strengthen management and streamline decision-making. Kruger’s new role places him at the center of operational coordination as the group implements the new banking structure and adjusts to its consolidated model. These shifts reflect an emphasis on aligning leadership roles with clear areas of responsibility while enabling each unit to focus on client delivery and performance.

What It Means for the Banking Sector

Analysts say FirstRand’s consolidation mirrors a trend across South African banks that are simplifying business structures and redefining leadership roles. By replacing multiple segments with a unified retail and business banking division, FirstRand is responding to the practical challenges of delivering integrated services amid a competitive environment. Lytania’s appointment as head of both the new division and FNB overall highlights the bank’s effort to align leadership with clients’ evolving financial needs, while the establishment of dedicated private and corporate units aims to sharpen focus on specific client groups. The restructuring demonstrates how major lenders are organizing management and operations to support both client service and institutional effectiveness in a changing market.