Felix Wagner 
The German Federal Ministry of Finance faces growing pressure as the planned launch of a state-backed private pension savings account (Altersvorsorgedepot) scheduled for January 1, 2027 encounters implementation challenges. Banks and brokers indicate they are behind schedule, raising doubts about whether the government’s timeline can be met.
N26, a European neobank, has had a turbulent year and released its 2025 business figures showing customer growth that fell short of expectations. The company also announced personnel changes in its management board.
KfW’s leadership is advocating for closer integration between German mid-market companies and venture capital investments, framing this approach as a strategic formula for enhancing Germany’s economic growth and international competitiveness. This strategy will influence KfW’s promotional lending policies.
Germany’s Kenfo, the state fund for financing nuclear waste disposal (Fonds zur Finanzierung der kerntechnischen Entsorgung), has delivered surprisingly high returns benefiting from the stock market rally. The fund is now drawing significant attention in the context of the German government’s pension reform plans.
Schufa, a major German credit rating agency, regularly evaluates the creditworthiness of millions of consumers. The company has introduced a new current credit score aimed at providing greater transparency. However, questions have been raised about why the company needs to store and use historical financial data from consumers for its credit assessment processes.
The President of the German cooperative banking association BVR, Marija Kolak, criticized individual member banks for engaging in partly high-risk business activities and announced consequential enforcement action against such practices.
Kenfo, Germany’s billion-euro state nuclear fund, delivered better-than-expected returns in 2025 according to its latest business report. The fund may potentially manage capital pensions in the future.
The insolvency administrator of real estate company Aggregate is attempting to annul a multi-million euro property sale. The sale of the Heidestraße quarter property, overseen by former CEO Cevdet Caner before the company’s bankruptcy, is now under judicial review to determine whether the sale price was fair and whether creditors suffered damages.
Bitcoin Suisse, a Swiss cryptocurrency provider, is expanding into the German market. The company aims to attract high-net-worth investors in Germany and plans to differentiate itself from competitors through digital currency custody services based in Liechtenstein.
Uber Technologies Inc. is in advanced talks to acquire German food-delivery company Delivery Hero SE in a potential major consolidation within the European food delivery market.