Learn what happens to a deceased person's bank account. Get expert guidance on legal rights for heirs, accessing funds, dealing with inheritance communities, and essential financial planning steps to manage an estate effectively.…

German Bausparkassen (building societies) have depleted emergency funds from €1.94 billion to €374.5 million since 2014. Learn how this impacts your savings security, understand the risks in low-interest environments, and get expert financial advice on protecting your assets.…

A recent German Federal Court ruling allows banks to cancel high-interest savings plans, impacting thousands. Learn how this affects your financial planning, the importance of diversifying with life insurance, annuities, and private pensions, and how to protect your long-term financial security. Get expert advice on retirement planning and risk management.…

Discover which 30 German banks charge negative interest rates to private customers. Learn about Strafzinsen (penalty interest), how they affect your savings, and get expert financial advice on protecting your assets. Compare banking strategies and find better alternatives for your money.…

In a negative interest rate environment, even insurance companies are rethinking cash storage. Learn why insurers might bunker cash in vaults instead of banks, what this means for the economy, and how it could impact your insurance policies and retirement savings.…

A major debit card fraud case at Oldenburgische Landesbank exposes vulnerabilities. Learn how criminals stole €1.5 million from 2,000 accounts, what this means for online banking security, and crucial steps to protect your own finances from similar attacks.…

Which German life insurers deliver the best net investment returns? Our analysis of the top 50 providers reveals leaders like Allianz, Swiss Life, and Zurich Deutscher Herold. Learn how low interest rates impact your policy's value and what to look for when comparing life insurance companies.…

The ECB extends its ultra-low interest rate policy, cutting deposit rates further. Discover the impact on German savers, life insurers' guarantees, and investment strategies. Learn why this environment challenges traditional retirement planning and where to look for yield.…

R+V CEO Norbert Rollinger argues insurance advisors are scapegoats for ECB low-interest policy. Explore the impact on life insurers, policyholder guarantees, and why regulation may miss the mark. Essential reading for advisors and clients navigating the low-yield environment.…

Discover the 2024 financial strength rankings for Germany's 12 largest life insurers. See which companies like Allianz, Nürnberger, and Zurich Deutscher Herold lead in stability and customer value. Learn how low-interest rates impact insurers and what this means for your life insurance policy.…

The PIM Gold scandal exposes the dangers of the unregulated 'gray capital market.' Thousands of investors may have lost savings in an alleged gold-backed Ponzi scheme. Learn the red flags, how the alleged fraud worked, and crucial lessons for protecting your investments from similar scams.…

Are you leaving free money on the table? Discover how Asset-Building Benefits (VL) work, why 7 million employees don't claim them, and how apprentices & young professionals can use employer contributions and state subsidies to start building wealth early.…

Following the collapse of PIM Gold, a German gold dealer accused of operating a Ponzi scheme, an insolvency administrator has been appointed. Learn what this means for the 8,000-10,000 affected investors, the process for recovering funds, and the grim reality of the missing gold.…

Negative interest rates are spreading. Discover which 35 banks now charge private savers, how thresholds are dropping, and what this means for your savings, retirement planning, and investment strategy. Get expert financial advice on protecting your wealth.…

The PIM Gold scandal raises serious questions for financial regulators. Did the BaFin intervene too late, allowing a suspected Ponzi scheme to defraud thousands of investors? Explore the timeline, regulatory gaps, and crucial lessons for investor protection and financial advice.…

A shocking case reveals major security lapses at Sparkasse Göttingen. An 18-year-old successfully sold counterfeit gold bars and coins worth €300,000 to the bank over multiple transactions. Discover how the scam unfolded, why basic verification checks failed, and the ongoing legal proceedings against the young man and his mother. A cautionary tale for financial institutions and precious metal investors.…

Sustainable investing (ESG/SRI) is transforming the financial landscape. Rudolf Geyer, CEO of ebase, explains how sustainability has become the fourth pillar of investment decisions, alongside return, risk, and liquidity. Discover key survey data on growing investor demand, practical tools for fund selection, and why financial advisors must integrate ESG criteria into their client consultations. Essential reading for investors and advisors navigating the future of finance.…

German inheritance and gift tax statistics reveal how taxpayers strategically time major gifts in response to pending legislation. This analysis explores the data, showing massive spikes in business asset gifts before favorable tax rules expired. Learn about key court rulings, legislative changes since 2009, and what this means for your estate and succession planning. Essential insights for financial advisors, tax planners, and business owners.…

The German Federal Government has acknowledged widespread interest calculation errors in long-term premium savings contracts offered by Sparkassen and banks. Following a parliamentary inquiry, the BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) is investigating numerous institutions. Consumers may be owed significant back payments. Learn about the faulty clauses, the ongoing class-action lawsuit, and what this means for your savings. Essential reading for financial advisors and consumers.…

The German Bundesrat has approved a significant increase in home savings premiums (Wohnungsbauprämie) starting in 2021. Discover the new higher subsidy rates, increased income limits, and how these changes can benefit your homeownership goals.…