Reduction of Sparkasse Branches and ATMs in Northern Germany occurs. - North-based savings banks trim down branch and ATM numbers
Hey there! Let's talk about this change happening in the banking scene in Schleswig-Holstein.
Last year, our local Sparkassen joined the digital age by reducing the number of physical branches and ATMs. From 2023, there were 337 branches (196 staffed) and 679 ATMs, compared to the 703 ATMs in 2023. You might be wondering why this downsizing happened. Well, the association attributed it to evolving customer behavior and technological advancements.
Now, you might be thinking, "But what about the business? Is it still thriving?" Well, it's stable, with a growing credit business! In fact, customer loans remained at approximately 38.4 billion euros, almost the same as the previous year. But, the loan commitments saw a significant jump - nearly 17% - to over 4.4 billion euros. A chunk of this increase went towards private residential construction loans and commercial residential construction loans, which experienced a whopping 30% and 24% growth, respectively.
Oliver Stolz, President of the Sparkassen and Giroverband Schleswig-Holstein, acknowledged that the overall economic situation in Germany still isn't great, but there's a glimmer of hope. He pointed out the decisions on the special funds for infrastructure and defense, and the prospects of the coalition agreement between Union and SPD as potential catalysts for an economic revival. "If there are real reform initiatives for deregulation, making investments more predictable and favorable, both special funds could trigger a recovery," said Stolz.
Now, you might be curious about the growing customer demand for value-based savings. The turnover in the securities business skyrocketed a stunning 30% to 5.99 billion euros last year! Stolz attributes this to the financial advice provided by Sparkassen during the years of zero and low interest rates. And guess what? The number of employees increased by 80 to 6,268 individuals!
In the end, it seems our local Sparkassen are adapting to the digital age and carving out a place for themselves in this shifting landscape. Keep an eye on them, folks! Schleswig-Holstein banking is about to get interesting.
- Sparkasse
- Schleswig-Holstein
- ATM
- Despite reducing the number of physical branches and ATMs (679 in 2023 compared to 703 in 2021), our local Sparkassen in Schleswig-Holstein have shown resilience in the business, with their loan commitments significantly increasing by nearly 17%.
- The Sparkassen in Schleswig-Holstein have been instrumental in catering to the growing demand for value-based savings, with a significant 30% surge in the securities business turnover to 5.99 billion euros last year.
- The shift towards digital services by Schleswig-Holstein's Sparkassen has resulted in an increase in the number of employees, boosting their workforce by 80 individuals, reaching 6,268 personnel.
- Despite the overall economic situation in Germany not being ideal, there is a glimmer of hope, with decisions on special funds for infrastructure and defense, as well as the prospects of the coalition agreement between Union and SPD, being potential catalysts for an economic revival, according to Oliver Stolz, President of the Sparkassen and Giroverband Schleswig-Holstein.
- Community aid and vocational training continue to be significant priorities for the Sparkassen in Schleswig-Holstein, ensuring they remain an integral part of the community, with vocational training offered across various sectors.
