In this episode of Cards Against Complexity, Jan speaks with Martin Stolberg, Partner and Senior Director at Sopra Steria, where he leads the banking practice. With over two decades of experience in financial services and regulatory transformation, Martin shares practical insights on how AI and compliance are reshaping the industry—and what that means for the people working in it.

Key Takeaways:

• AI Will Replace Operational Roles, But Not All Human Expertise:
Martin is direct: Most middle and back-office roles in banking are on track to be replaced by AI. But this doesn’t mean all human input disappears. Control functions, regulatory oversight, and trust-building still rely on people—just with new tools and expectations.

• Regulation Is a Moving Target—And Experience Matters:
In a landscape where regulatory frameworks evolve constantly, Martin emphasizes the value of seasoned professionals and strong networks. Entrepreneurs and early-career professionals alike benefit by learning from others, staying close to regulators, and proactively shaping change rather than reacting to it.

• Change Starts with Culture, Not Code:
Legacy financial institutions won’t move from mainframes to cloud-native systems overnight. Martin argues that digital transformation succeeds when it begins with cultural change—addressing mindsets, internal alignment, and the actual use case, not just the technology stack.

This episode offers a grounded look at how AI, compliance, and culture intersect in financial services—especially for leaders navigating long-term transformation under regulatory pressure.