The Association of German Public Banks (Bundesverband Öffentlicher Banken Deutschlands, VÖB)

http://www.voeb.de • November 26, 2012

The Association of German Public Banks – Bundesverband Öffentlicher Banken Deutschlands, VÖB – is a leading industry association in the German banking industry. It was founded in 1916 and represents nowadays 62 member institutions including the regional banks (Landesbanken) as well as the development banks owned by the federal and state governments. The VÖB together with the four other top-level associations of the German banking industry comprise the German Banking Industry Committee, GBIC (Die Deutsche Kreditwirtschaft, DK).

Mission. The VÖB represents the joint business and general interests of its members in all matters relating to banking policy promotes cooperation between member banks and supports them in the fulfillment of their missions. The association represents and promotes the interests of its members through communication with lawmakers on the national and state level, national and international regulatory authorities, the media and the public. It is accredited with the German Bundestag, the European Parliament and the European Commission. The VÖB has maintained an office in Brussels since 1987. The association is also a member of the European Association of Public Banks (EAPB), which is located in Brussels.

Members. German financial institutes held directly or indirectly by the public sector either in whole or in part, or which perform special missions in or arising out of the public interest, can become regular members of the VÖB. Banks that already belong to another banking-industry association can apply for special membership.

Employer association. The VÖB is also an employer association. It represents the members of the collective-bargaining association of public banks in collective-bargaining negotiations for public banks and the private banking sector.

Ombudsman. The VÖB has been operating a customer complaint system since 1992; in May, 2001, the system was expanded to include an extrajudicial arbitration body and an ombudsman. On the European level, the VÖB ombudsman is a member of the Financial Complaint Service Network (FIN-NET), to which over 40 national arbitration bodies belong.

Deposit guarantee. The VÖB compensation scheme (statutory deposit guarantee) secures customer deposits as well as liabilities from securities transactions. The association’s Voluntary Guarantee Fund provides additional security for deposits.

Total assets. As of the end of 2011, the total assets of all VÖB member banks amounted to 1,991 billion euros. The market share of the VÖB member banks was thus 24 percent, as measured by the total assets of the entire German banking industry. The VÖB banks employ roundabout 80,000 persons.

Read more about the VÖB here.