South Africa’s leading digital bank, TymeBank, has appointed Cheslyn Jacobs as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2026.
Jacobs, who currently serves as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), succeeds Karl Westvig. A founding member of TymeBank, Jacobs has been instrumental in the company’s growth and innovation strategy since its inception.
In a statement, TymeBank said Jacobs brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and leadership experience, having played a key role in developing the business from its early stages into one of South Africa’s fastest-growing financial institutions.
“His appointment marks the beginning of the bank’s next exciting chapter, which will be defined by an accelerated focus on innovation, customer experience, and sustainable growth,” the company said.
Thabani Jali, Chairman of TymeBank Holdings Limited, praised Jacobs’ deep understanding of the company’s customers, strategy, and culture.
“It’s time to compete even harder for market share as we mature as a business,” Jali said. “Under Cheslyn’s leadership, and with our talented team reshaping banking for all South Africans, TymeBank is geared to create even greater value for our customers and partners.”
Jacobs holds a BCom in Industrial Psychology from the University of the Western Cape and a postgraduate diploma in Business Management from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) at the University of Pretoria.
Before joining Tyme in 2012 as Manager of Sales and Distribution, Jacobs worked at Standard Bank and Deloitte. He later became National Operations Manager at Tyme Infield before being appointed Head of Sales and Services in 2019 the year TymeBank officially launched. He was promoted to Chief Commercial Officer in June 2022, where he was responsible for driving revenue growth.
Since its launch, TymeBank has established itself as one of South Africa’s leading digital banks, pioneering technology-driven financial solutions and expanding its customer base to more than 11 million. The bank is part of the Tyme Group, which operates across multiple markets, including South Africa, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
