The 10-year strategic agreement will modernize infrastructure, accelerate the use of artificial intelligence, and train staff in digital skills across 13 countries.
The pan-European banking group UniCredit has signed a 10-year strategic agreement with Google Cloud aimed at driving a deep digital transformation in its operations across 13 key European markets. The alliance includes the gradual migration of legacy applications and systems to Google’s cloud, as well as the deployment of advanced solutions for artificial intelligence, data analysis, and process automation.
“This collaboration is a crucial step toward becoming the bank of the future for Europe,” said Andrea Orcel, CEO of UniCredit. “We trust that Google Cloud’s technology will enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and accelerate data-driven innovation.”
Technological Unification in 13 Countries
The agreement is based on the principle of a common technological infrastructure for all entities within the group, enabling UniCredit to gain in agility, scalability, and cyber resilience. This will facilitate future expansions or acquisitions by providing a unified platform adaptable to new market demands.
In addition to modernizing its banking applications, UniCredit will adopt Google’s Vertex AI platform and Gemini language models as a core for developing new financial products and services powered by AI.
AI Applied to Investment Banking, Fraud Prevention, and Customer Service
Among the strategic uses planned for artificial intelligence are:
- Enhancing customer interactions through intelligent assistants.
- Optimizing operational processes through automation and predictive analytics.
- Applications in investment banking for advanced market analysis.
- Strengthening detection of financial crimes.
- Developing new AI-powered financial products.
The agreement also opens the door to explore additional services from the Google ecosystem, such as Google Maps Platform, to enrich digital customer service channels or improve logistical operation efficiency.
Digital Training and Long-Term Vision
As a fundamental part of the agreement, Google Cloud will contribute to training UniCredit’s team in digital skills in both technical and business areas. This training effort will reach employees across the group’s 13 European markets, preparing the organization for a new phase focused on cloud banking and AI-driven services.
“We are proud to support UniCredit in its technological modernization and to help foster a strong digital culture to address the challenges of the financial sector,” said Tara Brady, President of Google Cloud for EMEA.
Meanwhile, Ruth Porat, President and CIO of Alphabet and Google, added:
“Artificial intelligence presents an unprecedented opportunity for business transformation. This alliance will enable UniCredit to innovate quickly, gain efficiency, and build a solid foundation for sustainable growth.”
A Partnership Shaping the Future of Banking in Europe
This agreement positions UniCredit as one of the European banking groups most committed to technological transformation, betting on an agile, data-driven banking model with AI at its core and focused on the customer.
With this collaboration, Google Cloud strengthens its role as a strategic partner for major European financial institutions seeking not only to digitalize but also to redefine the banking model for a new era.