How Google Cloud Powers Deutsche’s Cloud & AI Transformation
Deutsche Bank’s migration of 260 applications to Google Cloud has created a foundation for the deployment of generative AI (Gen AI) across its operations, according to the bank’s technology chief.
Bernd Leukert, Chief Technology, Data and Innovation Officer at Deutsche Bank, says the German lender’s 2019 decision to partner with Google Cloud has reduced data processing times by up to 50%.
“This was a bold move at the time, and we needed a partner that could support this new direction. Google Cloud’s leadership in data and AI made them the right choice for us,” says Bernd in a Google Cloud article.
Deutsche Bank moves SAP finance platform to Google Cloud
The rise of cloud computing has enabled banks to deploy AI systems at scale, though regulatory requirements and data security concerns have slowed adoption across the sector.
Deutsche implemented controls to ensure the secure transfer of applications and data to the public cloud – beginning by migrating non-critical applications to build experience with cloud technology before moving core systems.
“Because we’re in a highly regulated industry, we implemented strong controls to ensure the safe transfer of our applications and data to the public cloud. To minimise risk, we first migrated non-critical applications,” Bernd explains.
The bank has transferred its SAP S4/HANA platform, which comprises 17 financial reporting systems, to Google Cloud from its internal infrastructure. The migration included Deutsche Bank’s general ledger, planning and forecasting systems in what Bernd describes as “one of the most complex migrations in financial history.”
The move has reduced system recovery times by a factor of 16 to 20, according to the bank. Deutsche Bank’s strategic risk management system now operates on Google Cloud's computing infrastructure.
As Bernd explains: “The cloud allows us to adapt and scale our technology easily, so we can respond to market fluctuations and customer needs with unprecedented speed.”
Deutsche Bank deploys Google's Vertex AI across operations
The partnership has enabled Deutsche Bank to access Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform and language models including Gemini. The bank has implemented these systems to process documents and assist employees.
Deutsche Bank processes thousands of documents each day, extracting information from customer orders and legal documents using Gen AI with 97% accuracy and a 40% reduction in processing time.
The bank has also created a Digital Assistant using Google Cloud technology to support its research and origination and advisory divisions and to help employees prepare reports, analysis and business outputs.
- 260 applications migrated to Google Cloud infrastructure
- 6,000 employees trained in cloud and AI skills through Cloud Engineer Programme
- 97% accuracy achieved in AI document processing with 40% reduction in handling time
“Our Google Cloud partnership gives us access to the Vertex AI platform and powerful large language models like Gemini, says Bernd. “We can securely experiment with new Gemini models before their public release.”
Deutsche Bank developers use AI for code development
The bank’s technology teams use Gen AI to write code and identify software bugs. The system also assists with documentation of software development projects.
Deutsche Bank has trained 6,000 employees in cloud and AI skills through its Cloud Engineer Programme. The bank created the programme in partnership with Google Cloud, which includes hackathons and application migration sprints.
“We work side by side with Google Cloud to run hackathons and application migration sprints,” says Bernd. “We’ve removed bottlenecks from our processes so we can deploy new products more quickly.”
The bank’s Autobahn foreign exchange trading platform operates on a hybrid cloud system, combining internal infrastructure with Google Cloud services, while Deutsche Bank’s Frontier Finance platform – which processes corporate customer invoices and payments – runs entirely on Google Cloud.
The cloud allows us to adapt and scale our technology easily, so we can respond to market fluctuations and customer needs with unprecedented speed
This cloud infrastructure enables Deutsche Bank to adjust technology capacity based on market conditions, meaning the bank can deploy products with reduced delays due to streamlined processes.
“We also recognise that different applications have different needs,” says Bernd. “For our Autobahn FX trading platform, a hybrid cloud solution proved to be the best fit, allowing us to meet the unique demands of this business.”
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