Cheslyn Jacobs to Lead TymeBank’s Next Wave of Digital Banking Innovation
The bank described his appointment as marking the beginning of “a new and dynamic chapter” for the company, one that will emphasise innovation, customer experience, and sustainable expansion.
Digital bank TymeBank has announced a leadership change that will see Cheslyn Jacobs take over as Chief Executive Officer from Karl Westvig, effective 1 January 2026.
Westvig, who joined TymeBank’s executive team in 2023, will step down from his current role at the end of the year but will remain with the organisation in an advisory capacity to support the transition.
According to a statement released on Monday, Jacobs—one of TymeBank’s founding team members—has played a central role in building the institution since its inception. The bank described his appointment as marking the beginning of “a new and dynamic chapter” for the company, one that will emphasise innovation, customer experience, and sustainable expansion.
TymeBank chairman Thabani Jali said Jacobs’s extensive understanding of the bank’s customers, people, and strategic direction makes him well positioned to guide the next phase of TymeBank’s growth, as the digital challenger intensifies competition in South Africa’s evolving financial landscape.
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. His early career included roles at Standard Bank and Deloitte before he joined Tyme in 2012 as a sales and distribution manager. He later became national operations manager for Tyme Infield, was appointed head of sales and services in 2019—the year TymeBank launched—and was promoted to chief commercial officer in 2022, overseeing revenue generation and growth.
TymeBank, established six years ago, has rapidly grown to become one of South Africa’s leading digital banks, now serving over 11 million customers.
From January 2026, Jacobs and Westvig will collaborate over a three-month handover period to ensure a smooth transition while continuing to drive the bank’s strong growth trajectory.
Jali acknowledged Westvig’s contributions, noting his key role in integrating Retail Capital into the Tyme ecosystem and helping to establish a robust foundation for the bank’s future development.
