Artificial intelligence (AI) is already having a major impact on the financial sector today and will offer even more potential applications in the future that we cannot yet imagine. The use of artificial neural networks is already helping with the processing of resource-intensive and repetitive processes and large amounts of data. However, a great deal of research is still required to identify further specific fields of application and develop solutions that enable this rapidly advancing technology to be used responsibly and reliably. The Savings Banks Finance Group endeavours to find solutions that support people and their needs rather than replace them.
A research laboratory was therefore initiated in Münster last year, which officially launched on 1st January 2025 and is dedicated to researching AI in the financial sector. The name says it all: “Flow Factory” is the name of the laboratory, as the projects are primarily concerned with the dynamic transformation and innovation of processes in the financial business. The “Flow Factory” is backed by a broad alliance of partners from the Savings Bank Finance Group: The Sparkassenverband Westfalen-Lippe and Finanz Informatik, the digitalisation partner of the Savings Bank Finance Group, are in charge. The German Savings Banks and Giro Association (DSGV), the DSV Group, LBS NordWest, Deutsche Leasing and Sparkassen Rating- und Risikosysteme (SR) have been on board from the outset. Provinzial NordWest together with the Association of Public Insurers and Deka are now also involved (as at June 2025). As part of a pioneering cooperation agreement with the European Research Centre ERCIS at the University of Münster, they provide almost 1.5 million euros annually to fund the lab.