Sizwe Mhlongo CA (SA)

CFO, Investment Banking, Standard Bank Group

City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

About

Thulasizwe C. Mhlongo is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of senior finance experience in the banking sector. Recognized for consistently high performance, he has earned top awards for delivering impactful financial solutions. He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for Investment Banking and has previously led financial insights for Transaction Banking and served as CFO of Universal Trade Finance, driving performance through strategic reporting and analysis. Thulasizwe holds an MPhil in International Business and certifications in Trade Finance and Business Analytics. Passionate about education, he champions learning initiatives within his finance team and serves as Finance Chair for a township school and as a board member for Kutlwanong Centre for Maths, Science and Technology. A dedicated endurance athlete, he has completed three Comrades Ultramarathons and two 947 cycling events. Thulasizwe is committed to leveraging his finance expertise to explore diverse professional opportunities and aspires to become a global business leader.

Experience

  • Standard Bank Group (12 yrs 1 mo)
    • CFO, Investment Banking, Standard Bank Group
      Sep 2025 - Present · 11 mos

      As Chief Financial Officer – Investment Banking, I partner across CIB business areas (Product, Client Coverage, and Geographies) to shape and execute long-term financial and strategic priorities. My role focuses on delivering actionable insights, challenging assumptions, and driving decisions that strengthen business performance and sustainable growth. I lead the development of integrated financial strategies aligned with organizational objectives, oversee budgeting and medium-term planning, and ensure robust analysis for high-impact decisions. With a strong emphasis on value creation, I identify and prioritize strategic opportunities, evaluate investments, and approve initiatives that advance our competitive position. Beyond financial stewardship, I champion operational excellence through process design, performance measurement, and risk management. I am committed to fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration—coaching teams, mentoring talent, and inspiring engagement to achieve ambitious goals.

    • Lead Financial Insights, Transaction Banking, Standard Bank Group
      Mar 2023 - Oct 2025 · 2 yrs 8 mos

      Lead Financial Insights, Transaction Banking: Leads a team of analysts providing financial analysis, intelligence, and reporting to support decision-making and help the business unit achieve strategic goals.

    • Chief Financial Officer, Trade Finance, Standard Bank Group
      Sep 2018 - Feb 2023 · 4 yrs 6 mos

      CFO of Universal Trade Finance: Established the financial operating model for Group Trade Finance across CIB and BCB, and oversaw the separation of financial reporting for the BCB Trade Finance book. Additional role as lead finance for Business Transformation Programs: Played a key role in selecting signature programs, drafting business cases, establishing governance processes, negotiating tech vendor deals worth billions of ZAR, and driving commercial realization of investments.

  • Project Accountant at Associated Motor Holdings (Pty) Ltd
    Mar 2014 - Jun 2014 · 4 mos

    Responsibities, to; * Analyse and report on various departments performance, * Provide policies and procedures and Job anayses aimed at streamlining and protecting the business * Assist with the custodianship of Financial Accounting in region's dealerships

  • Cost Accountant at Rainbow Farms (Pty) Ltd
    Mar 2013 - Feb 2014 · 1 yr

    Conducted regular, high-quality analysis on sales performance and product profitability, providing insights to various teams, including the board, sales, marketing, and customer teams. Suggested strategies to enhance customer and product profitability by compiling individual customer price lists. Developed Excel-based models for the board, including a target contribution model, new product performance trackers, and dynamic quarterly forecasts. Offered “what-if” costings and evaluated their impact on profitability for new product development, specification changes, and R&D modifications. Presented data-driven analysis to quantify the effect of cheap chicken imports on local producers.

  • Trainee accountant at PwC South Africa
    Mar 2010 - Feb 2013 · 3 yrs

    Performed audits for a broad spectrum of clients, varying from small-scale to large-scale businesses, spanning diverse sectors such as Automotive, Manufacturing, Retail, Industrial Minerals, Fast Food Restaurants, Oil and Gas, and Property Development. Managed daily audit operations, ensuring meticulous handling of audit files and team members. This included overseeing the execution of audit planning and completion tasks, and the preparation of financial statements in compliance with IFRS. Effectively managed personnel and budget to meet strategic deadlines and ensure efficient job recoveries.