Investitionsbank Berlin: History, Governance, and Success

Investitionsbank Berlin has a rich history dating back to 1951, when it was founded as a state-owned development bank.

The bank's primary goal was to promote economic growth and development in the city of Berlin.

With a strong focus on supporting local businesses, Investitionsbank Berlin has played a crucial role in the city's economic transformation over the years.

Today, the bank is a leading provider of financial services in Berlin, with a diverse portfolio of clients and a strong reputation for innovation.

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Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) is a business development bank that has been actively supporting the growth of Berlin's economy for years.

All IBB financial reports are available online, giving you a comprehensive look at the bank's achievements and financial performance.

You can discover more facts and figures about IBB's business development efforts and what we have achieved in the respective financial years by accessing our financial reports.

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Investitionsbank Berlin is part of the IBB Group and is subject to the Law Establishing Investitionsbank Berlin as an Incorporated Institution under Public Law (IBBG, Investitionsbankgesetz). This law provides the basis for both our organisational structure and IBB's governing bodies.

IBB is governed by a set of rules outlined in the IBB Law and Memorandum and Articles of Association. This document is publicly available and provides a framework for our operations.

Our executive bodies play a crucial role in making key decisions, and you can learn more about them by following the link.

Being committed to a cause is essential for any organization, and it's especially crucial for businesses that are deeply rooted in a community like Berlin.

Berlin-based businesses are fortunate to have a partner that is dedicated to providing them with the best possible support through tailored financing and grant programmes.

This commitment is not just about helping businesses, but also about creating a more sustainable and liveable city in the long term.

Ibb's corporate governance is based on the Law Establishing Investitionsbank Berlin as an Incorporated Institution under Public Law (IBBG, Investitionsbankgesetz).

This law provides the foundation for Ibb's organisational structure and governing bodies. It's interesting to note that Ibb is part of the IBB Group, which adds another layer of governance and accountability.

IBB's governing bodies are established under the IBBG law and are responsible for overseeing Ibb's activities. This includes the IBB's memorandum and articles of association, which outline the bank's purpose, powers, and rules.

Ibb also has an executive body that is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the bank. This body is accountable to the governing bodies and is responsible for implementing the bank's strategies and policies.

In addition to these internal governance mechanisms, Ibb also has a compliance function and an external ombudsman to ensure that the bank operates in a fair and transparent manner.

Here are some key governance documents that are publicly available:

Investments are a crucial part of the Investitionsbank Berlin's (IBB) mandate as the central development bank of the state of Berlin.

The IBB is involved in numerous companies to fulfill its mandate, with two groups of participations: those held on behalf of the city and those held in connection with promotional tasks.

The IBB has a diverse portfolio of investments, including business development, housing and urban development, and labour market promotion.

Here are some key areas where the IBB invests:

The IBB also has further investments through its subsidiary, IBB Unternehmensverwaltung AöR, which includes IBB Ventures, IBB Business Team GmbH, and IBB Capital.

Some of the specific investments made by the IBB include:

The Investitionsbank Berlin has a rich history that spans over nine decades. Its roots date back to 1924, when it first began supporting the housing industry in Berlin.

One notable milestone was the transformation into a public-law institution in 1965, making it a Kapitalsammelstelle for loans under § 17 Berlinförderungsgesetz. This move marked a significant shift in its operations and responsibilities.

The bank's headquarters in Berlin-Wilmersdorf was constructed between 1971 and 1974, and it has since become a prominent landmark in the area. The building's height of around 60 meters makes it a notable feature of the city's skyline.

In 1993, the bank's mandate was expanded to include economic development, and it was integrated into the Landesbank Berlin as a separate department. This move allowed the bank to take on new challenges and responsibilities.

The following years saw significant modernization and expansion efforts, including the completion of a major renovation project in 1997. This upgrade enabled the bank to better serve its customers and adapt to the changing needs of the market.

Today, the IBB operates under the umbrella of the IBB Unternehmensverwaltung AöR (IBB UV), which was established in 2021. This new structure has allowed the bank to consolidate its operations and strengthen its position in the market.

Here's a brief timeline of key events in the bank's history:

The history of the Investitionsbank Berlin is a fascinating one. In 1965, it was transformed into a public-law institution known as the Wohnungsbau-Kreditanstalt Berlin, serving as a capital collection point for loans under the Berlin Förderungsgesetz.

This marked a significant shift in its focus, allowing it to provide financing for housing projects. The institution's main office was also relocated to a 60-meter-high high-rise building in Berlin-Wilmersdorf between 1971 and 1974.

Over time, the institution's scope expanded to include economic development. In 1993, it was reorganized into the Investitionsbank Berlin, which became a separate department within the Landesbank Berlin.

This change allowed it to take on new responsibilities and grow its operations. By 1997, the bank had completed a major modernization and expansion of its headquarters.

The bank's independence was further solidified in 2004, when it was spun out from the Landesbank Berlin and became a public-law institution in its own right.

In 2021, the IBB Unternehmensverwaltung Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts (IBB UV) was established, taking over the IBB's parent company role and becoming the sole shareholder of the IBB.

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The IBB's legal foundation is rooted in the Gesetz zur Änderung der Beteiligungsverhältnisse an der Investitionsbank Berlin from June 7, 2021. This law led to a reorganization of the IBB group in 2021.

The IBB Unternehmensverwaltung AöR (IBB UV) was established by the Land Berlin as the sole shareholder, effective January 1, 2021, retroactively. The IBB is now part of the IBB UV, which is responsible for consolidating the IBB's financial statements.

The IBB UV bears the responsibility of ensuring the IBB's economic stability and operational functionality. This is in accordance with the Anstaltslast, a public obligation to maintain the IBB's financial basis.

The Land Berlin is liable for the IBB's borrowed funds, including loans, bonds, and other financial instruments. This liability is outlined in § 3 Abs. 2 of the Investitionsbankgesetz (IBBG) from June 7, 2021.

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IBB is involved in numerous companies to fulfill its mandate as the central development bank of the state of Berlin.

The bank has two groups of participations: those held on behalf of the city and those held in connection with promotional tasks.

The Investitionsbank Berlin has faced criticism, particularly regarding the handling of Corona-Soforthilfen. In March 2020, the bank was tasked with distributing these emergency funds.

A data breach occurred almost immediately, affecting around 400 people who received data belonging to others. This incident led to investigations against the bank's management on suspicion of embezzlement.

The investigations were eventually dropped in July 2022.

The Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) is a specialized bank that focuses on supporting businesses, freelancers, and private individuals in Berlin. It was founded in 1991 and has since supported numerous projects and companies with financial backing.

The IBB offers a wide range of funding programs to help businesses, freelancers, and private individuals implement their projects. These programs include loans, guarantees, subsidies, and investments.

One of the IBB's key focuses is on promoting innovation and technology. The bank offers special funding programs for companies working in renewable energy, digitalization, or creative industries.

The IBB also prioritizes supporting entrepreneurs and young companies. It has specific funding programs for start-ups and young companies, including the development of new products and services, as well as exploring new markets.

Privat individuals can also benefit from the IBB's funding programs. The bank offers programs for energy-efficient building and renovation, as well as low-interest loans for buying property.