Solaris cuts 20% of workforce as German fintech shifts to AI-native operations
German fintech Solaris will cut 80 employees, or roughly 20% of its 400-person staff, following an announcement to rebuild the company around AI-native architecture. The layoffs come three months after new leadership took over, led by CEO Steffen Jentsch and backed by majority shareholder SBI Group.
Jentsch said the restructuring reflects a "decisive new chapter" as the company moves to its AI-native strategy. He acknowledged the departing employees in a LinkedIn post, saying Solaris is "grateful" for their contributions.
The timing matters for HR professionals managing similar transitions. Solaris holds a full German banking license, making this a regulated financial services operation, not a startup experimenting with new technology. That regulatory context shapes how workforce reductions must be handled and communicated.
The company secured €140 million in Series G funding in February 2025, suggesting the transformation has investor backing despite the staff reduction. The new leadership team took control three months before this announcement, indicating the AI-native pivot was likely a priority from the start.
What this means for HR teams
Organizations undergoing AI-driven restructuring face competing pressures: the need to reduce headcount while retaining institutional knowledge and managing employee morale during uncertainty. Solaris's approach-announcing the transformation and cuts simultaneously-affects how remaining staff perceive the change.
HR leaders should consider how their organization communicates similar shifts. Clear messaging about which roles align with new architecture, transparent timelines for decisions, and support for departing employees reduce friction during transitions.
Learn more about AI strategy for CHROs and explore AI applications in human resources to understand how other organizations are managing these changes.
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