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The Bundesverband deutscher Banken plays a crucial role in shaping banking regulations and the overall economy.
The association represents the interests of German banks and has been a strong advocate for a stable and efficient financial system.
One of its key objectives is to ensure that banking regulations are fair, transparent, and conducive to economic growth.
The Bundesverband deutscher Banken works closely with regulatory bodies, such as the European Central Bank, to promote a unified European banking market.
Banking Industry
The Bundesverband deutscher Banken is a member of the European Banking Federation (EBF), which suggests that they are part of a larger network of European banking organizations.
They also participate in the Gemeinschaftsausschuss der Deutschen Gewerblichen Wirtschaft, which is a committee that brings together representatives from various industries in Germany.
The private banks in Germany expect around 24,000 insolvency cases, but this number is considered manageable thanks to the government's efforts to support businesses during the Corona crisis.
Vorstandschaft und Präsidium
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The Vorstandschaft und Präsidium of the banking industry is a key component of the Bankenverband. The Verband is led by a three-year elected Vorstand, with seats divided among banks by category.
The Großbanken, or large banks, have one seat each, while the Privatbankiers, or small privately owned banks, have two seats. The Regionalbanken, or second-tier commercial banks, have four seats, and the Auslandsbanken, or foreign banks, have one seat. The Hauptgeschäftsführer, or General Manager, is also a member of the Vorstand by virtue of their position.
The Vorstand elects a President and two Stellvertreter, or alternates, to form the Präsidium. Traditionally, the President role alternates between the Großbanken and the Privat- bzw. Regionalbanken, but this rule is not strictly followed.
Here is a list of the Präsidenten of the Bankenverband in chronological order:
- 1951–1960: Robert Pferdmenges (Sal. Oppenheim)
- 1960–1967: Gotthard Freiherr von Falkenhausen (HSBC Trinkaus)
- 1968–1975: Alwin Münchmeyer (Schröder, Münchmeyer, Hengst & Co.)
- 1975–1979: Wilhelm Christians (Deutsche Bank)
- 1979–1983: Harald Kühnen (Sal. Oppenheim)
- 1983–1987: Hanns Schroeder-Hohenwarth (BHF-Bank)
- 1987–1991: Wolfgang Röller (Dresdner Bank)
- 1991–1994: Eberhard Martini (Bayerische Hypotheken- und Wechsel-Bank)
- 1994–1997: Karl-Heinz Wessel (Sal. Oppenheim)
- 1997–2000: Martin Kohlhaussen (Commerzbank)
- 2000–2001: Frank Heintzeler (BW-Bank)
- 2001–2005: Rolf-Ernst Breuer (Deutsche Bank)
- 2005–2009: Klaus-Peter Müller (Commerzbank)
- 2009–2013: Andreas Schmitz (HSBC Trinkaus)
- 2013–2016: Jürgen Fitschen (Deutsche Bank)
- 2016–2020: Hans-Walter Peters (Berenberg Bank)
- 22. April 2020 – 11. August 2020: Martin Zielke (Commerzbank)
- 11. August 2020 – 30. Juni 2021: Hans-Walter Peters (Berenberg Bank)
- seit 1. Juli 2021: Christian Sewing (Deutsche Bank)
Mitgliedschaften
The Bankenverband (BdB) has a diverse membership base, comprising various categories of banks and financial institutions. The BdB has six categories of members, including large banks, regional banks, private bankers, extraordinary members, foreign banks, and regional associations.
The BdB has three large banks as members: Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, and UniCredit Bank GmbH. These banks are among the largest in Germany and play a significant role in the country's banking industry.
In addition to the large banks, the BdB has 56 regional banks as members. These banks are smaller and middle-sized commercial banks that operate in specific regions of Germany.
The BdB also has 15 private bankers as members, most of whom are in the form of silent partnerships (Kommanditgesellschaft, KG). These private bankers provide specialized banking services to high-net-worth individuals and institutions.
The BdB has a total of 78 foreign banks as members, including branches and subsidiaries of banking groups headquartered in other EU countries and the rest of the world.
The BdB is also a member of the European Banking Federation (EBF), which is a network of European banking associations. This membership allows the BdB to participate in the EBF's activities and contribute to the development of European banking policies.
Here is a list of the BdB's membership categories:
- Large banks: Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, and UniCredit Bank GmbH
- Regional banks: 56 banks
- Private bankers: 15 banks
- Extraordinary members: 21 banks, including fintech companies and foreign-owned banks
- Foreign banks: 78 banks
The BdB's membership base is diverse and includes a wide range of banking and financial institutions. This diversity allows the BdB to represent the interests of its members and contribute to the development of the German banking industry.
Einlagensicherungsfonds
The Einlagensicherungsfonds is a deposit guarantee scheme managed by the BdB. It was created in 1975 as a reaction to the failure of Herstatt Bank.
The scheme has two parts: the original deposit guarantee fund (Einlagensicherungsfonds) and the statutory deposit guarantee scheme (EdB). The EdB was established in 1998, following a change in EU legislation.
As of 2024, the EdB insures deposits up to €100,000 per account, in line with the EU Deposit Guarantee Scheme Directive (DGSD). The Einlagensicherungsfonds acts as an additional or "top-up" fund, providing additional deposit guarantee up to €5 million for individuals and €50 million for corporate entities.
In 2021, the collapse of Greensill Capital and its German banking arm resulted in an obligation for the BdB deposit insurance to pay out €2.7 billion to over 20,000 former customers.
Here's a breakdown of the deposit insurance coverage:
The BdB has decided to reduce its deposit insurance coverage following the 2021 event, with the goal of reaching the new levels by 2030.
Zahl der Firmenpleiten dürfte Verkraftbar Bleiben
The number of company bankruptcies might be manageable, according to the Bankenverband, which estimates around 24,000 insolvencies.
This number is a fraction of what was initially feared, and it's a relief for many businesses that were kept afloat by government support.
The state has indeed provided billions to help companies weather the Corona crisis, and it seems to have made a difference.
Private banks are cautiously optimistic about the situation, but they're also aware of the uncertainty surrounding investments.
They're pointing to the low demand for corporate loans and expecting a significant increase in mortgage interest rates.
This could have a ripple effect on the economy, but for now, it seems like the worst-case scenario has been avoided.
Kräftiger Abbau
The banking industry is undergoing significant changes, and one of the most notable trends is the kräftiger Abbau, or significant reduction, of bank branches.
A quarter of all German bank branches are expected to close in the coming years, according to the BdB-Präsident Peters. This is due to the increasing digitalization of banking services and the intense competition in the market. As a result, there will be fewer bank employees in the future.
The exact number of branch closures is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the banking industry is adapting to the changing needs of its customers. With more people turning to online banking and mobile apps, the need for physical branches is decreasing.
Here are some key statistics on the expected branch closures:
Note: These statistics are based on the projections of the BdB-Präsident Peters and may be subject to change.
It's worth noting that the closures are not limited to small branches, but also include larger ones. This will have a significant impact on the banking industry and the communities that rely on them.
Für Einfache Gebührenmodelle
The banking industry is complex, and one area that can be particularly frustrating for customers is dealing with confusing fees. Bankenverband für einfache Gebührenmodelle - the banking association is actually in agreement that pricing models should be easy to understand, but they also think customers should be informed enough to make sense of them.
Verbraucherschützer, or consumer advocates, are criticizing the wild variety of fees associated with bank accounts. It's a valid point, and something that banks and customers should work together to address.
Bankenverbände, or banking associations, are recognizing the need for simpler pricing models, and it's a step in the right direction. By making fees more transparent, banks can build trust with their customers and create a more positive banking experience.
Ultimately, the goal should be to make banking easier and more accessible for everyone. By working together, banks and customers can create a more straightforward and customer-friendly banking system.
Zu hohe Kartengebühren
Zu hohe Kartengebühren have been a major issue in the banking industry. Many businesses, including Händler, Tankstellenbetreiber, and Deutsche Bahn, have been paying excessive fees to banks for years. The Landgericht Berlin has confirmed this, but surprisingly, few of these affected companies have sought compensation.
The consequences of these high fees have been significant, with businesses losing out on potential savings. It's a reminder that even seemingly small charges can add up over time and have a major impact on the bottom line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Welche Bankenverbände gibt es?
Es gibt vier wichtige Bankenverbände in Deutschland: BVR, BdB, VÖB und DSGV. Der DSGV ist der Dachverband von zwölf regionalen Sparkassen- und Giroverbänden.
Welche Banken gehören zu den privaten Banken?
Die privaten Banken sind die Deutsche Bank (mit Postbank), die Commerzbank und UniCredit Bank. Diese Banken gehören zu den größten Finanzinstituten in Deutschland.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundesverband_deutscher_Banken
- https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundesverband_deutscher_Banken
- https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/topics/bundesverband-deutscher-banken
- https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/thema/bankenverband
- https://www.finanzwende.de/themen/cumex/offener-brief-an-den-bundesverband-deutscher-banken-bdb-zu-cumex
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