JN Bank appoints interim managing director
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Managing Director Leesa Kow will depart JN Bank Limited on March 31 as Keith Levy is set to take over as the interim leader until a permanent successor is identified.
Kow’s departure will conclude a 22-year career at the mutual-owned society, which culminated in her appointment as the head of JN Bank in July 2022. She leaves the banking arm of JN Group at a time when JN Bank reported $1.2 billion in profit before tax for the nine months period ending December 2025, more than double the $581.93 million earned for the March 2025 fiscal year.
“Working at JN has been the privilege of my professional life. I came here in 2003 and was given opportunities I could not have imagined by people who believed in me before I had earned it. I am proud of what we built together: the services that send money home, the products that open accounts, the teams that show up every day for our members. I will always be grateful for every year I spent here,” said Kow in the press release.
Levy will vacate his role as chairman of JN Bank to take up his new responsibilities. Levy has been a director of JN Financial Group since July 2022 and the chairman of JN Bank since December 2024. The seasoned banking executive has spent more than 25 years in international banking, where he worked at Bank of America and Credit Suisse.
“Keith has been a close and trusted part of JN’s governance for nearly four years. He has sat through difficult conversations, asked the right questions, offered sound perspective on key financial initiatives, and understands this mission and purpose of the bank from the inside,” said JN Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Earl Jarrett on Levy’s new role.
Kow’s departure represents the latest change to take place at JN Group, which has been restructuring its portfolio of companies over the last two years. It recently divested its ownership in JN General Insurance and JN Fund Managers while reducing its exposure to JN Bank UK (now _thisbank_). Former Managing Director of JN Financial Group and JN Bank Curtis Martin retired in July 2025.
The JN Group is currently on track to reduce its consolidated net losses by approximately 80 per cent for the March 2026 fiscal year. JN Group’s board and management are focused on capital strength, sustainable profitability, and disciplined cost management as part of its turnaround plan.
“I am personally grateful for what she has given to this Group and to the people we were created to serve; and I know her impact will continue to be felt here,” Jarrett added on Kow’s departure.
The departure of Kow represents the latest C-suite change in the commercial banking space.
Bruce Bowen left National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCBJ) on February 28 with Sheree Martin appointed interim CEO.
Nigel Holness retired in May 2025 as managing director of CIBC Caribbean Bank (Jamaica) Limited as he became chairman of the bank’s board.
Annique Dawkins became the new country head for the regional bank.