First National Financial Corporation Announces Planned Retirement of President and CEO Jason Ellis

Executive Summary

• President and Chief Executive Officer Jason Ellis announced his intention to retire by the end of 2026 after more than 22 years with First National.
• The Board has launched a comprehensive search for a new CEO, with Ellis remaining in his role during the transition and offering advisory support thereafter.
• Ellis highlighted continued confidence in First National’s growth prospects and praised the company’s leadership team and shareholder partners.

Key Details

• Jason Ellis will retire as President and CEO by end‑2026; he will continue to serve in his current capacity while a successor is identified.
• The Board of Directors has initiated a comprehensive search process for a new Chief Executive Officer.
• Ellis will provide advisory support to the incoming CEO as needed after his retirement.
• Ellis joined First National in 2004 (Director of Capital Markets) when mortgages under administration (MUA) were just over $10 billion; MUA now exceeds $165 billion.
• Career highlights: COO (2018), President (2019), CEO (Jan 2022); played key roles in the 2006 IPO and the 2025 go‑private transaction.
• Ellis expressed confidence in First National’s future, citing strong leadership, institutional partners, and shareholder support from Birch Hill Equity Partners and Brookfield Capital Partners.
• Chairman Moray Tawse praised Ellis’s contributions and affirmed confidence in the company’s strategy and leadership team during the transition.

Notable Quotes

“My conviction in the continued growth and success of First National has not wavered,” – Jason Ellis, President & CEO.

“Jason has made an enormous contribution to First National over more than two decades… We are grateful for his leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment,” – Moray Tawse, Chairman of the Board.