Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), one of South Africa’s premier investment banks, has announced the appointment of Judy Kobus as its new Chief Executive Officer of Corporate, entrusting her with the leadership of its corporate client business as the institution charts an ambitious path toward further growth and market expansion.
Kobus, a seasoned banker with nearly two decades of experience at the bank, steps into the role after a distinguished career marked by consistent delivery and strategic innovation. She first joined RMB 18 years ago through its prestigious Class Of Programme—a flagship graduate development initiative that has produced some of the bank’s top leadership talent—and has since ascended through the ranks, holding several senior leadership positions across the organisation.
Most notably, Kobus led RMB’s Infrastructure Sector Solutions division for six years, a period during which the business underwent a significant transformation. Under her stewardship, the unit shifted to a more client-focused, solutions-driven model that prioritised deep engagement with clients’ unique needs and long-term objectives. The results were striking: the business doubled its profit before tax, demonstrating Kobus’s ability to blend commercial acumen with client-centricity while navigating complex infrastructure financing landscapes.
Her academic credentials are equally impressive. Kobus holds commerce degrees from three of South Africa’s leading institutions—the University of Cape Town, the University of South Africa, and the University of Johannesburg—reflecting a commitment to continuous learning and intellectual rigor that has underpinned her professional journey.
In her new capacity, Kobus will oversee RMB’s corporate client portfolio, which includes some of the country’s largest and most influential companies across diverse sectors. Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the bank, which is seeking to deepen its corporate relationships and expand its footprint in key growth areas, including renewable energy, technology, and infrastructure development.
RMB has expressed confidence that Kobus’s track record of driving profitability, her deep understanding of client needs, and her institutional knowledge will serve the bank well as it navigates an increasingly competitive and complex financial services landscape. For Kobus, the new role represents both a recognition of her achievements and an opportunity to shape the future of corporate banking in South Africa.
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