Berliner Volksbank

The story of Berliner Volksbank begins not with a single founder, but with an idea championed by social politician Hermann Schulze-Delitzsch. In the mid-19th century, he inspired the creation of cooperative loan and savings associations to support craftsmen and traders, reducing their dependence on large banking houses. This cooperative spirit is the bedrock of the bank's identity. Officially, the Berliner Volksbank as we know it today was founded in West Berlin on January 16, 1946, in the challenging post-war era. A pivotal moment in the bank's history was its merger with Berliner Volksbank (East) on December 19, 1990, following German reunification. This event was a significant step in knitting together the financial fabric of the newly unified city. The bank continued its consolidation and growth by merging with Grundkreditbank eG-Köpenicker Bank in 1999. More recently, Berliner Volksbank has focused on strategic acquisitions to expand its services. On February 28, 2024, it announced the planned acquisition of ABK Allgemeine Beamten Bank AG, a move set to bolster its offerings in consumer loans and savings products for public service employees. This acquisition, completed by the end of 2024, operates under a two-brand strategy, allowing ABK to maintain its distinct market presence while being part of the larger Berliner Volksbank group.