The Bundesbank’s Regional Office in Baden-Württemberg has a new President: Kathrin Schulte-Südhoff assumed office in July, taking over from Patricia Staab who moved to the Frankfurt Central Office in April this year. Ms Staab now has the role of Standing Deputy Director Information Technology. At a ceremony marking the change of office, Bundesbank Executive Board member Lutz Lienenkämper honoured the achievements of both women. 

Kathrin Schulte-Südhoff has been working at the Bundesbank since 2005. During this time, she has worked in international banking supervision law, in the President’s Office and most recently as Head of Division in the Directorate General Audit. She is therefore not just familiar with observing processes of change from the sidelines, but has designed, structured and followed such processes through herself.

Focus on promoting up-and-coming talent and digitalisation

Ms Staab represented the Bundesbank in Baden-Württemberg for six and a half years. Her term of office was characterised by work on two topics in particular: promoting up-and-coming talent and digitalisation. One of her initiatives to promote up-and-coming talent was the introduction of new university prizes in Baden-Württemberg. She also established the format “Bundesbank Insights” for school pupils, which provides young people with insights into the Bundesbank’s work and tasks. Digital development also played a key role. Examples of this include the Digitalisation Day held at the Regional Office and an exploration project at the Reutlingen branch.

Ms Staab, who has a doctorate in mathematics, held several management positions at the Bundesbank prior to her role in Baden-Württemberg. These included tasks in the areas of external sector and banking statistics, as well as in statistical information management.

During the ceremony, Mr Lienenkämper emphasised the impact Ms Staab has had on the Regional Office: In your successor’s first letter addressed to staff, she highlighted the lively communication culture within this institution, something you have shaped considerably. As testimonials go, they do not get much better than that. He wished the new President good fortune and every success for the tasks that lie ahead.