In this episode of Cards Against Complexity, Jan speaks with Marco Di Sazio, Head of Digitization and Innovation at Bankhaus Metzler, about how one of Germany’s oldest private banks is modernizing its operations and client services through AI. With nearly 10 years at the bank, Marco offers a grounded perspective on what digital transformation looks like within a highly traditional financial institution.

Key Takeaways:

• AI as a Catalyst for Modernizing Financial Services:
The rise of generative AI gave Metzler a clear opportunity to rethink internal processes and client-facing tools. Rather than chasing hype, the focus has been on practical use—integrating AI as a standard productivity asset for teams across the bank.

• Transformation Requires More Than Technology:
At Metzler, AI adoption began with internal dialogue, not deployment. By treating AI as a cultural shift—supported through workshops, education, and internal champions—the bank laid the groundwork for sustainable change.

• Balancing Innovation with Regulatory Expectations:
The bank uses a hybrid model: a central AI team ensures governance and compliance, while a network of "AI champions" in each department drives use-case discovery. This structure helps meet financial sector requirements while allowing innovation to scale.

This episode provides practical insight for financial services professionals navigating the complexities of digitization—especially in regulated, relationship-driven environments.