Smart Money – FNB CEO Harry Kellan

In this Smart Money with Alishia Seckam interview, FNB CEO Harry Kellan discusses the rise of digital banking in South Africa and FNB being recognised as South Africa’s preferred retail bank.

Kellan took over the reins of FNB a little over a year ago, succeeding long-term CEO Jacques Celliers.

He began his career as an audit manager for Arthur Andersen in 1995, before joining HSBC as an associate director for the Corporate Finance Division.

In 2005, Kellan joined FNB South Africa as a financial manager before becoming the CFO in 2007 at just 35 years old.

He served in this position for over six years before becoming the Group CFO for the FirstRand group – FNB’s parent company and the largest listed financial institution in Africa by market cap.

Kellan held this position for over a decade, and took up his current position as FNB CEO and CEO for Retail and Commercial in April 2024.

He holds a Bachelor of Accounting with Honours in Financial Accounting from the University of Witwatersrand.

The interview

In this Smart Money with Alishia Seckam interview, Kellan discusses FNB’s recognition as the preferred retail bank in the 2025 South African Investor and Banking Report.

He explains what this means to FNB and what sets the bank apart from its competitors.

Kellan then discusses the rise of digital banking in South Africa and how FNB has evolved to meet this trend.

He also talks about the rise in popularity of virtual cards, FNB’s eBucks programme, and tools like NAV and Fincents.

Finally, Kellan highlights the exciting innovation opportunities he sees for the banking industry in the future.

Watch the full interview with FNB CEO Harry Kellan below.