First CDR-Report published by our member Atruvia
As the digitalisation partner of the cooperative FinanzGruppe, Atruvia takes responsibility for ensuring that technology is in line with social values. From core banking procedures to apps, from consulting solutions to secure large language models, Atruvia ensures that millions of bank customers have access to their finances. Simple, digital, secure.
Digitalisation is not only changing our working world, it is shaping our entire lives – quickly, profoundly and irreversibly. By joining the CDR initiative of the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection in 2024, Atruvia is reaffirming its digital responsibility from two key perspectives: from the cooperative principle, which puts people at the centre, and from the requirements as a digitalisation partner in the financial sector – a sector that is sensitive and influences many processes of daily life and economic activity. Atruvia uses this influence to create non-discriminatory and accessible environments. Cooperative values such as transparency, trust, fairness and solidarity apply to Atruvia both online and offline.
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‚We are a member of the CDR initiative because digital responsibility is essential to our everyday business: from justly trained AI models and our GDPR-compliant plainGPT version, to transparent data usage via the consent cockpit. At the same time, we promote sustainability applications, like the carbon check, and creative participation, such as our employee-financed photovoltaic system, in order to foster digitalisation as well as climate protection. Our aim is to consistently promote innovation based on equality, security and social impact.‘
Sarah Mertens
Head of Sustainability, Atruvia AG
In its CDR report, Atruvia shows that CDR is not an abstract mission statement, but a living practice. Two current projects illustrate this impressively:
Counteracting bias in large language models
Atruvia uses its own large language models (LLMs) that comply with the regulatory requirements of the financial industry. The company is aware of the challenges inherent in the training data used for such models – human biases, stereotypes and historical inequalities. To identify and avoid these types of bias, Atruvia invests in training, initiatives and promotes diverse teams that critically analyse data.
In 2024, a company-wide think tank was founded as an AI accelerator to develop Atruvia's AI strategy and form a virtual competence centre in association with the Bundesverband der Deutschen Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken (BVR) and the DZ BANK Gruppe. The result is a network-wide AI strategy that combines responsibility, transparency and innovation.
Crowdfunding for greater sustainability
Atruvia also relies on collaborative solutions in the energy-intensive area of server capacity: since September 2025, the company has been operating the first of two photovoltaic systems financed by internal crowdfunding at its Münster site, which will produce around 500,000 kilowatt hours of solar power per year in the future – around 10 per cent of the current electricity consumption of two Atruvia buildings. The financing target of €1.7 million was reached within an hour, supported by almost 400 employees. A win-win situation for employees, the company and the environment.
Responsibility as an attitude
As part of critical infrastructure, Atruvia bears special responsibility for the stability, security and trustworthiness of digital systems. The company sees this responsibility as part of its cooperative DNA – and as a guideline for its daily activities.
In its first CDR report, Atruvia now transparently outlines the measures and goals the company is pursuing in the CDR initiative's areas of action – and how it is shaping digitalisation in a way that serves society.
Interested in working with us?
Would you like to find out more or get involved in the CDR Initiative yourself?
Then start by filling in the CDR-Quick-Check now or contact the Office of the CDR Initiative.
