N26 Continues Leadership Transition

N26 has confirmed a major shift in its executive structure as co-founder Maximilian Tayenthal prepares to exit his operational roles by the end of 2025. The transition marks a pivotal moment for the European digital bank as it moves from founder-led management toward an institutionalized leadership model following its first profitable milestones.

What was announced

N26 has detailed a comprehensive leadership transition that will see co-founder and Co-CEO Maximilian Tayenthal step down from all operational responsibilities on 31 December 2025. This move follows the appointment of Mike Dargan as the sole Chief Executive Officer of both N26 SE and N26 Bank SE. Dargan is scheduled to formally take up the position in April 2026.

During the interim period between Tayenthal’s departure and Dargan’s arrival, the digital bank will be led by Arnd Schwierholz and Marcus W. Mosen, who will serve as Co-CEOs of N26 SE. Schwierholz will additionally assume the role of interim CEO for N26 Bank SE. The interim leadership team will operate as members of the Management Board alongside Jochen Klöpper, who recently joined the firm on 1 December 2025 in the capacity of Chief Risk Officer.

The executive changes are supported by a recently expanded Supervisory Board, which has added three experts specializing in banking, capital markets, and regulation. These structural updates arrive as N26 reports significant financial progress, having reached a break-even point in 2024. The company has stated it is currently on track to deliver strong financial results throughout 2025 as it pursues a strategy of sustainable profitability across its European markets.

"Building N26 has been one of the most meaningful journeys of my life. What began in 2013 as a mission to change banking for the better has today evolved into one of Europe’s foremost digital banks. Together with an exceptional team, we scaled the business, led N26 to sustainable profitability, and helped redefine modern banking. With a strengthened Supervisory Board, a trusted management team and strong succession plan with Mike Dargan joining, I leave confident that N26 is in excellent hands. I’m deeply grateful to all N26-ers past and present, whose dedication has driven our success."

Maximilian Tayenthal, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of N26

The companies involved

N26 was established in 2013 by Maximilian Tayenthal and Valentin Stalf with the goal of disrupting the traditional retail banking sector through a mobile-first experience. Since its inception, the Berlin-based firm has grown into one of the most prominent digital banks in Europe, currently employing a workforce of approximately 1,500 people. The company operates with a full German banking license, allowing it to provide a comprehensive range of financial services, including spending accounts, savings products, and investment tools, as well as integrated management of mobile plans.

The bank’s evolution has seen it transition from a high-growth startup into a regulated financial institution serving millions of customers across multiple European jurisdictions. After years of heavy investment in scaling and regulatory compliance, the company achieved a financial break-even in 2024. This milestone has positioned the firm to focus on long-term profitability and innovation within the digital banking space. The current leadership transition, overseen by Chairman of the Supervisory Board Dr. Andreas Dombret, represents the formalization of N26’s corporate governance as it enters its second decade of operation.

What this means

The departure of the final co-founder from N26’s daily operations signals the end of the "founder-led" era for the European neobanking sector. By appointing a sole CEO with institutional experience, N26 is prioritizing regulatory stability and corporate maturity over the rapid-fire disruption that characterized its early years. This move places pressure on other major challengers, such as Revolut and Monzo, to prove they can also successfully transition to professional management without losing their competitive edge. The interim period will be a critical test of the bank’s internal governance, as it must maintain its momentum toward profitability while waiting for permanent leadership to take the helm in 2026.