“Responsibility can be shared—but never relinquished.” – Sopra Financial Technology presents provocative theories in the podcast “Tech und Tacheles”
News, 22/10/2025
IT outsourcing takes the pressure off financial service providers, but it does not relieve them of their responsibility. In the latest episode of Tech & Tacheles, Mathias Weinert, Chief Risk Officer at Sopra Financial Technology, and Tanja Kulisch-Ziemens, founder and CEO of EdTech company The Great Moneyverse, discuss why trust does not mean a loss of control and why responsibility remains the hardest but most valuable currency in banking.
Nuremberg, October 22, 2025 – IT outsourcing can accelerate processes, reduce costs, and open up new opportunities, but one thing cannot be outsourced: responsibility. In the tenth episode of the “Tech & Tacheles” podcast, Mathias Weinert and Tanja Kulisch-Ziemens discuss the tension between trust, control, and compliance, and the question: Are we outsourcing responsibility as well? The discussion shows that a sense of responsibility is not an obstacle to innovation, but rather its foundation. Only those who clearly define responsibilities and think in terms of partnership can create stability in dynamic times.
Responsibility remains with the client
“Outsourcing only works if everyone involved knows who is responsible for what,” says Mathias Weinert. “Responsibility remains with the client. But when roles, tasks, and duties are clearly defined, trust is created—and that is precisely the basis for successful collaboration.” For him, one thing is clear: “I cannot share responsibility. In the end, someone always has to take responsibility.” At the same time, outsourcing can promote trust if the collaboration is transparent: “A strong risk culture is not at odds with service quality. It is what creates it in the first place.”
Tanja Kulisch-Ziemens, an experienced regulatory expert, adds: “Sharing responsibility does not mean relinquishing it. Everyone always retains a piece of the responsibility. The key is to know exactly who is responsible for what – then everyone benefits. That's how delegation becomes true cooperation.”
IT outsourcing does not mean a loss of control
Both agree that IT outsourcing does not mean a loss of control, but rather a conscious decision. “A good provider can take on a lot, allowing the customer to sit back and relax to a certain extent,” says Weinert. “But you can't delegate responsibility. Ultimately, it always lies with the client.”
Tanja Kulisch-Ziemens sees this primarily as an opportunity: “Outsourcing is not a tool for relief, but for expansion. Those who know their own strengths and make targeted use of external expertise remain capable of acting and gain room for maneuver.”
Weinert sums it up: “Loss of control is a myth. If you make a conscious decision about what to outsource, you retain responsibility—and therefore control.”
Listen now
The new episode of Tech & Tacheles, “Are we outsourcing responsibility as well?” is now online. Listen now – on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at: www.sopra-financial-technology.com/podcast
About the podcast
Tech & Tacheles is Sopra Financial Technology's podcast for the financial sector. External and internal experts discuss IT, technology, and banking in a clear, opinionated, and well-informed manner. No buzzwords, just attitude. For more information about Tech & Tacheles, visit: https://www.sopra-financial-technology.com/de-de/insights/podcast
About Sopra Financial Technology:
Sopra Financial Technology GmbH offers regulatory-compliant operation of modular, scalable, and customizable applications in the financial services industry. The company combines traditional legacy systems with innovative products and services, incorporating modern cloud solutions in a high-performance operation and secure environment. With around 300 employees and headquarters in Nuremberg, the company is distinguished by its expertise in banking, regulatory affairs, solution orientation, and project management. Founded in 1983 as Sparda-Datenverarbeitung eG, Sopra Financial Technology GmbH has been part of the Sopra Steria Group since 2019, which has more than 50,000 employees in around 30 countries.
Contact:
Sopra Financial Technology GmbH
Birgit Hass
Frankenstraße 146, 90461 Nürnberg
Phone: +49 911 9291-0
E-Mail: communications.sft@soprasteria.com