Artificial intelligence in the financial sector: From pilot project to competitive advantage
Insight, 09/09/2025
Why now is the right time to strategically embed AI – and how banks, insurers, and leasing companies can benefit from it.
The Handelsblatt Banking Summit 2025 showed that the financial sector is ready for the next step. Artificial intelligence (AI) has long been more than just a field of experimentation – it is becoming a strategic tool for efficiency, resilience, and customer proximity. But between hype and reality lies a challenging path that needs to be navigated wisely.
From experiment to value creation: where AI is delivering real benefits today
Many institutions have gained initial experience with AI, for example in the form of chatbots or co-pilots. But the truly transformative power of AI is revealed when it not only automates processes but also rethinks them.
One example: when onboarding new customers, some banks are already relying on so-called “agentic KYC” solutions. These AI agents check documents, identify anomalies, and initiate follow-up processes—in real time, in compliance with regulations, and in a scalable manner. This not only saves time, but also increases the quality and security of the review.
The potential is also evident in customer advisory services: AI-supported assistants provide advisors with up-to-date market analyses, individual customer profiles, and suitable investment ideas directly during the conversation. This creates a new consulting experience – personal, data-driven, and efficient.
And with regard to regulatory requirements such as DORA or the EU AI Act, intelligent tools help to identify risks at an early stage, generate reports automatically, and reliably meet compliance requirements.
What AI can really do for financial service providers
The benefits of AI go far beyond increased efficiency. Used correctly, it becomes a strategic lever:
- Risk management: AI recognizes patterns that human analysts miss—and enables proactive control.
- Regulatory compliance: AI supports compliance with complex requirements, for example through automated documentation and monitoring.
- Customer experience: Personalized services, fast response times, and intelligent advice create trust and differentiation.
- Innovation: New products and services can be developed, tested, and scaled more quickly.
Knowing your limits, taking responsibility
Despite all the opportunities, the productive use of AI remains challenging. The biggest challenges lie in striking a balance between innovation and security:
- Regulatory clarity: The EU AI Act, DORA, and national regulations such as BaFin circulars set clear framework conditions. AI must be traceable, auditable, and ethically acceptable.
- Cybersecurity: AI systems are vulnerable to manipulation and data leaks. Without robust security architectures, there is a risk of reputational and compliance risks.
- Governance and shadow AI: When employees resort to private tools because there are no official solutions, governance gaps and data protection problems arise.
The key question is: How can AI be used securely, scalably, and in compliance with regulations—without losing innovative power?
AI with substance and responsibility
At Sopra Financial Technology, we support financial service providers on their journey toward strategic AI use. Our solutions are designed to balance innovation and governance:
- We develop platform-based services that take regulatory requirements such as DORA and the EU AI Act into account from the outset.
- Our architectures are multi-cloud-enabled, resilient, and auditable for maximum flexibility and security.
- We focus on partnerships rather than pilot projects: Studies show that AI initiatives with technology partners are twice as successful as purely in-house projects.
Whether it's agentic KYC, AI-powered consulting, or compliance automation, we help turn ideas into real solutions.
Strategic thinking about AI – now is the right time
This year's banking summit showed that the industry is ready. The technologies are here. The regulatory guidelines are becoming clearer. What matters now is the ability to implement – with the right partners, the right architecture, and a clear vision.
Let's shape the future together.
Whether you want to take your first steps with AI or scale existing initiatives, we are here to support you as your partner.
Do you have any questions? Our experts will be happy to advise you.