German digital bank N26 has announced the appointment of Marc Hess as Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director of N26 SE and N26 Bank SE, completing a significant restructuring of its senior leadership team as the company prepares for its next phase of growth.
Hess is scheduled to join the Berlin-based digital bank on October 15, 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals. He brings decades of financial leadership experience across major German banking institutions, with a background in financial management, capital markets, and retail banking.
Before joining N26, Hess served as Chief Financial Officer of Aareal Bank from 2018 to 2024, overseeing key financial operations and supporting the institution's strategic development. Earlier in his career, he held senior positions at Deutsche Postbank, where he became CFO in 2007 and was appointed Deputy CEO in 2015.
During his tenure at Deutsche Postbank, Hess also served as Global Chief Financial Officer for Deutsche Bank's Private and Business Clients division, gaining extensive experience managing financial operations across large banking businesses.
At N26, Hess will assume responsibilities previously handled by Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director Aytac Aydin, who has served as interim CFO since September following the departure of Arnd Schwierholz in August.
The appointment completes a broader leadership transformation at N26, which has introduced several senior executives across its management structure, including new appointments in the chief executive, operations, technology, and product leadership functions.
Andreas Dombret, Chairman of N26's Supervisory Board, welcomed Hess's appointment, highlighting his experience in retail banking, capital management, and regulatory resilience. The bank confirmed that all positions on its Management Board are now filled.
The leadership changes come as N26 continues to strengthen its European digital banking operations. The company achieved its first full-year profit in 2025 and is preparing to expand its digital banking products during the final quarter of 2026 and throughout 2027.
Operating across 24 European markets, N26 aims to develop its position as a digital-first banking provider by introducing additional financial services and improving its customer offering.
With Hess joining the executive team, N26 is positioning its management structure to support financial stability, regulatory compliance, and further business expansion in Europe's competitive digital banking market.
