The rivalry between KB Financial Group, which is seeking to hold onto its No. 1 position, and Shinhan Financial Group, eager to regain the top spot, is set to intensify this year as both groups reshuffle their lineups, industry officials said Sunday. This comes at a critical turning point for the financial sector, marked by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and a prolonged low-growth environment. KB Financial has recently reshaped its organizational structure, launching a new future strategy division that integrates group-wide strategy, synergy and environmental, social and corporate governance functions with AI, data and digital innovation initiatives. The reorganization underscores KB’s full-scale push to accelerate AI-led transformation across the group this year. As part of that effort, KB convened a management workshop last Friday, bringing together its entire executive leadership to review business strategies under the theme “Transition and Expansion.” During the session, Chairman Yang Jong-hee said, "All executives and employees must evolve into strategists and innov