Liane Buchholz is clearly comfortable in her role as President of the Sparkassenverband Westfalen-Lippe (SVWL) in Munster. Finally, one almost has to add. When she moved from the Association of German Public Banks (VÖB) to Munster almost eight years ago, she was not exactly given the red carpet treatment. On the contrary, she had to fight off two other candidates in a tight election. At least she succeeded in the first round of voting. But initially, scepticism prevailed on both sides.

Today, that is a thing of the past. „Over the years, I have managed to steadily build up a relationship of trust with the members of my Administrative Board and the savings banks board members,“ says Buchholz, who celebrated her sixtieth birthday on 20 January. Her contract was extended in 2020, well ahead of schedule, until March 2027.

Last summer the former Professor of Banking Business Administration at the Berlin School of Economics and Law took over the Chair of the Governance Board of Finanz Informatik (FI), the IT service provider of the Sparkassenfinanzgruppe, a move which has undoubtedly contributed to her professional well-being.

Her eyes light up as she talks about her plans for FI, the new building on the savings bank campus in Munster, and how she intends to ensure that the FI site becomes an attractive address in future. Just charm the Mayor, she jokes.

But joking aside, FI and the topic of AI are close to Buchholz's heart. She has familiarised herself deeply with the subject matter – certainly both a blessing and a curse for the FI's management. She carries out her supervisory duties „with passion and enthusiasm“. Buchholz sees herself as a competent sparring partner. Just a few days ago, the go-ahead was given for a research lab for artificial intelligence, a collaboration with the University of Munster.

In addition to the SVWL and FI, the founding and funding partners and thus the sponsors of the research lab also include other association units, including the German Savings Banks Association (DSGV). „I managed to bring everyone together. I'm proud of that,“ says Buchholz. Anyone familiar with the polyphonic chorus of the S-Finanzgruppe, with its numerous special interests, will appreciate this achievement.

However, digital topics are not just Buchholz's speciality. In fact, IT topics of all kinds are becoming increasingly important in savings banks. So it is hardly surprising that when asked about the most important topics for „her“ savings banks, the association's head answers "driving forward the digitalisation process and thus standardisation.“ This is not least due to the shortage of skilled labour, which makes it particularly difficult for smaller institutions to recruit staff. The personnel issue is therefore also the second important topic that Buchholz believes needs to be tackled. In addition, the savings banks cannot ignore the issue of sustainability. In this area, the decentralised institutions are in a stronger position than other banks, as their proximity to customers and long-standing relationships oblige them to provide support. Large banks, on the other hand, have drawn up a list of which customers will no longer be financed in future. „This is hardly possible for savings banks. We have to support companies during the transformation,“ she says.

Buchholz has now dealt with the disappointment of her unsuccessful candidature for DSGV President two years ago. She never harboured any resentment anyway, she assures us, adding: „I have respect for majority decisions.“ At the same time, Buchholz admits that her word has now been given more weight in the group, as seniority is very important in the organisation. After eight years, the Eisenach native is now one of the longest-serving regional presidents.

However, she does not intend to make another attempt at the top job. „I can hardly imagine doing anything else now,“ says the association boss, who is openly thinking about a third term of office in Munster.