Dutch central bank DNB signs a deal with Schwarz Digits, the IT arm of Lidl owner Schwarz Group, to move away from U.S. cloud vendors. The contract will place the bank’s digital infrastructure on the Stackit platform, a European‑centric cloud that keeps data under EU law and supports regulatory compliance for financial services in Netherlands.

DNB’s move follows last October’s pledge by Director Steven Maijoor to set a European example, noting that U.S. clouds still outpace European ones in maturity. With a recent €11 billion investment in a Lübbenau data center, Schwarz Digits has attracted clients like SAP and Bayern Munich, proving its platform can meet high‑volume demands for banks across Europe.

The bank’s choice underscores growing concern over geopolitical risk tied to the Cloud Act, which forces U.S. providers to share data with American authorities. By keeping sensitive financial data within EU borders, DNB limits exposure while still leveraging a robust cloud. The contract marks a significant shift for a highly regulated sector in the financial sector.

Schwarz Digits’ Stackit platform already hosts major European players such as Lidl, Kaufland, and Deutsche Bahn, demonstrating its scalability. DNB’s decision may prompt other European regulators to follow suit, accelerating the adoption of sovereign clouds. For now, the central bank has secured an alternative that aligns with its compliance and security mandates for the banking sector.