Banking in Germany - statistics & facts
The banking industry in Germany is shaped by a distinctive three-pillar structure, comprising commercial banks, public sector banks (including savings banks and state banks), and cooperative banks. This decentralized system allows for a broad regional reach and strong local engagement. Savings banks (Sparkassen) and state banks (Landesbanken) serve communities at both the local and state level, while cooperative banks also play an important role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. Together, savings and cooperative banks account for asignificant share of the market, with their combined assets making up more than a quarter of the industry total. As of 2023, Germany was home to 683 cooperative banks and 354 savings banks - by far the largest number of institutions among all banking categories.
