2025 Annual Congress in Bolzano

The South Tyrol Savings Bank hosted its annual conference in Bolzano from September 25 to 28, 2025. Over 120 participants enjoyed South Tyrolean hospitality.

The conference began on Thursday evening with a reception in the garden and a sumptuous dinner at the Parkhotel Laurin in Bolzano for participants and guests from across Europe.

On Friday, the conference took place at the South Tyrol Savings Bank Academy. As is tradition, the focus was on the international exchange of experiences. The agenda centered around the core theme of recruiting and employee retention in times of skilled labor shortages, featuring various keynote speeches and presentations that illuminated different aspects and perspectives of this topic. The annual conference traditionally emphasizes networking among the participants. Among the guests was Peter Simon, Managing Director of the European Savings Banks Association and the World Association of Savings Banks, who reported on current issues within the savings bank organization.

President’s Speech: Investing in People is Investing in the Future

In his speech, Dr. Tim Nesemann addressed the causes of the skilled worker shortage and offered answers to the question of how this challenge could be met.

According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 13 million people in Germany, or about one-third of the workforce, will retire due to age by 2035, while only about 9 million will enter the workforce – resulting in a net decrease of approximately 4 million people in the workforce. Therefore, Nesemann emphasized, despite the absolute increase in the number of highly qualified individuals (Institute for Employment Research), there will be shortages with repercussions for the financial sector as well.

“On the one hand, we savings banks have to meet ever more regulatory and supervisory requirements, which necessitates more and highly specialized employees. On the other hand, digitalization and the use of technology mean that we need new qualifications – in these areas, however, we are also competing with new rivals from the online banking and FinTech sectors.”
Dr. Tim Nesemann, President of the Association of Independent Savings Banks

For us savings banks, this meant that the competition for skilled workers – whether in lending, consulting, IT, or risk management – would become a strategic challenge with existential risks.

Regarding the question of when employers become attractive to Generation Z, Nesemann referred to six criteria derived from various studies (see Manpower Group, IU Survey, Stepstone):

Work-life balance and flexibility,
Meaningfulness and values (purpose),
Career and development opportunities,
Work atmosphere and corporate culture,
Digital work environment, and
Salary and job security.

The aspects of meaningful work and an innovative corporate culture, according to Nesemann, still offer savings banks the potential to become genuine competitive advantages.

Dr. Tim Nesemann and Dr. Gerhard Brandstätter honored at the gala evening!

The President of our association, Dr. Tim Nesemann was honored with the large gold medal by the Sparkasse Südtirol on Friday evening at Maretsch Castle – during the traditional gala evening – for extraordinary services in the German and cross-border savings bank world.

“Dr. Tim Nesemann embodies the transformation and future viability of savings banks like few others. Sparkasse Bremen was the first German savings bank to introduce a network organization for its employees. By abolishing traditional hierarchies and promoting individual responsibility and self-management within each team, moving towards agile working methods, he has made Sparkasse Bremen a pioneer of modern work environments. He combines professional excellence with visionary thinking, and leadership strength with humanity.”
Dr. Gerhard Brandstätter, speaker, President of the South Tyrolean Savings Bank and Vice President of the European Savings Banks Association

And Dr. Gerhard Brandstätter was also bestowed with a very special honor. President Dr. Nesemann appointed Dr. Gerhard Brandstätter an honorary board member of our association. The members of the board and the general assembly of our association agreed that Dr. Brandstätter, with his deep commitment, tirelessly champions our collaborative exchange, thus continually strengthening the ideals of our association and carrying them toward a successful future.

Saturday was dedicated to a journey through the Mediterranean and Alpine landscapes of South Tyrol. A diverse sporting and culinary program took the participants to, among other places, Freudenstein and Sigmundskron Castles.