Säästöpankki ESG Data Architecture

Navigating the new CSDR reporting landscape is no easy task. That is why Säästöpankki, sought external support to develop its data architecture for CSDR reporting. AI Roots provided Säästöpankki with a temporary ESG data architect, whose expertise in not only data architecture and sustainability regulation, but understanding business processes and operating models proved to be far more valuable than it anticipated. Together, they co-created an architecture and roadmap for a future ESG data capabilities that not only help Säästöpankki to meet regulatory requirements, but also serves as an asset for future business decisions and strategy. From early on it was clear that the leadership support and earlier architecture work as well as newly formed data and sustainability teams made the journey possible.

Säästöpankki, the oldest banking group in Finland, faced challenges in building solutions for the overall data capabilities for its CSDR reporting and data utilisation for decision making. The data collection processes were fragmented, and many underlying activities generating critical data had inconsistencies, due to the long history of the banks of the groups. A lack of clarity regarding roles and responsibilities that the CSRD data harmonization requirements brings further complicated efforts to align technical, business, and sustainability teams. Initially, gaps in understanding how sustainability statements could be translated into practical metering and processes producing the needed data made it challenging to prioritize and address key requirements effectively. The challenge extended beyond data architecture – it also included evolving ESG reporting into building capabilities for business decision-making and strategic insight.

The expertise Juha Karjalainen (via AI Roots & Sees North) provided as ESG Data Architect expanded well beyond the original scope of the assignment. He took on the challenge of connecting systemically various internal stakeholders and translating complex regulations into actionable plans. The work focused on analyzing Säästöpankki’s sustainability and taxonomy reporting requirements, processes, mapping and addressing underlying challenges, clarifying needs, defining data enablers, and collaborating with sustainability and technical teams to roadmap the capability development. This helped to streamline the ongoing data collection, future data architecture and role definitions while emphasizing alignment with both regulatory needs and operational goals.

"My primary goal is always to help the client where they genuinely need support - assist in understanding and solving the systemic root causes that needs to be solved to reach the goals. In this case, my work extended far beyond the typical role of a data architect. It became clear that they needed guidance in understanding and prioritizing the big picture from multiple perspectives – leadership, structures, processes, data, and regulation. I also helped them clarify what their own strategy means in terms of sustainability, data, and leadership." - Juha Karjalainen, Sees North, the AI Roots’ provided expert

As a result of the collaboration, Säästöpankki gained a comprehensive understanding of its challenges and necessary solutions in CSDR and taxonomy reporting. Through an in-depth analysis of prior sustainability and taxonomy reporting processes, inaccuracies and ambiguities were identified and addressed. Over the course of the assignment new systemic data needs and capabilities were defined, data-generating processes mapped, and roles and responsibilities clarified through a target model for Säästöpankki. The prioritization of process changes and enhanced cross-departmental collaboration have equipped Säästöpankki to independently continue to develop its ESG reporting practices to meet both business and regulatory needs.