The banking group says that Golding informed the board of his intention to step down and a formal search for his successor is underway, with help from a recruitment firm.

Golding will remain as chief executive and a board director until his retirement.

During this time he will continue to lead the group as it focuses on delivering its strategic and financial objectives for 2025 and 2026, which were outlined in an investor update earlier this year.

Yesterday, OSB announced it was launching a specialist buy-to-let lender called Rely.

OSB Group chief executive Andy Golding says: “OSBG is an amazing bank with delivery for its customers, owners and staff at the very heart of what the group does.

“I am immensely proud to have been at the helm for the last 14 years, seeing the bank through initial stabilisation and growth, an initial public offering (IPO), major mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity and cementing its place as the UK’s biggest and best specialist lender.

“I look forward to working with our experienced and talented leadership team to deliver another year of strong performance in 2026 during an orderly handover process.”

OSB Group chair David Weymouth adds: “Andy has made invaluable contributions in the creation of the OSB Group over the last 14 years.

“As the founding CEO of the group his strategic vision and leadership have been critical in transforming the group, overseeing significant growth in deposits, loan originations and overall market position, delivering significant shareholder value and shareholder returns of £1.2bn since 2019.

“The entire board wishes him well when he retires from executive life.”