First National Bank today announced the appointment of Marius Marais as Chief Executive Officer, FNB Home Loans and Lee Mhlongo as Chief Executive Officer, FNB Housing Finance. Marais has more than 15 years of financial services experience, having held various roles within FNB and previously the role of CEO FNB Housing Finance over the last 10 years.

Marais, started Housing Finance as a new business in 2002 and reached the business goal of over 100 000 units financed and a R14 billion loan book within 10 years. He also ensured FNB delivered alternative building and green technologies to the affordable housing market.

Lee Mhlongo, has been appointed to take over the Housing Finance Division from Marais. Lee has been with the bank since 2004, holding numerous positions in Retail Banking, FNB Insurance and RMB Private Bank.

"The new role as CEO FNB Homeloans will allow me the opportunity to exert both my financial services experience and ten year experience gained within the Housing Finance business and property sector. I believe this experience will assist in unlocking further value in our Home Loans division," says Marais.

"Heading the Housing Finance division is a new and exciting challenge for me. The business is innovative and growing from strength to strength. There is lots of potential in this market and I am looking forward to the opportunities this position brings," concludes Mhlongo.

Marais holds a Masters in Business Leadership as well as a BCompt from the University of South Africa.

Mhlongo holds a BSc Actuarial Science and Mathematics from the University of Witwatersrand.