In conversation with Bank Zero Chair, Michael Jordaan

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Michael Jordaan stepped down as CEO of First National Bank (FNB), one of South Africa’s largest banks with a customer base of nearly nine million in 2013, to pursue his passion for entrepreneurship.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector and nearly a decade at the helm of the Bank, Michael Jordaan oversaw the move away from traditional banking, and led FNB to be named the “World’s Most Innovative Bank” in 2012. He was the 2013 Sunday Times Business Leader Award winner and in 2014 was awarded CNBC The All-Africa Business Leader of the Year Award.

Michael Jordaan co-founded and chairs the new digital-only bank, Bank Zero, to be launched in South Africa. Bank Zero is part of the new frontier of banking, which has arrived through smartphones and associated digital technologies.

Jordaan was also among 13 South Africans chosen as Young Global Leaders by the World Economic Forum in 2008. He now heads up a private investment company, Montegray Capital and has a strategic role in his 21 start-up investments which range from the new data-driven mobile network Rain to the algorithmic investment fund NMRQL.
6 May 2024 6PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

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