In this episode of Cards Against Complexity, Jan is joined by Nancy Plaßmann, Board Member at Berliner Sparkasse, one of Germany’s largest regional banks. Nancy shares how a 200-year-old financial institution continues to evolve through digital transformation—while doubling down on human connection and local relevance in a city as diverse and fast-moving as Berlin.

Key Takeaways:

• Banking for Berlin’s Expat Community:
With half of all new accounts in Berlin now opened in English, Berliner Sparkasse has built specialized support teams to serve international residents—offering personal interaction and local guidance as a differentiator in a market crowded with digital-only players.

• Combining Digital Efficiency with Human Trust:
Nancy explains why Berliner Sparkasse’s strategy balances self-service technology and in-person service. While AI tools and digital assistants improve efficiency, the bank sees long-term value in maintaining local branches and personal advisors—especially in complex, trust-driven areas of financial services.

• Cultural Change as a Core Component of Transformation:
From employee engagement to AI adoption, Nancy emphasizes that successful digital transformation is rooted in culture. Board members play an active role in internal communication to ensure that strategic changes are clearly understood and embraced across the organization.

This episode is essential for anyone in financial services navigating how to scale modern banking services while staying grounded in community, trust, and real human interaction.