VKB-Bank

What VKB-Bank does

VKB-Bank (Volkskreditbank AG) is an independent Austrian regional cooperative bank headquartered in Linz, founded in 1873 and operating under a cooperative ownership structure (genossenschaftliche Eigentumsstruktur) in which shareholders are simultaneously customers and employees of the bank. It serves private customers and the entrepreneurial Mittelstand (SME segment), with a secondary private banking offering, across approximately 32 branches in Oberösterreich, Wien, Salzburg, Steiermark, and western Niederösterreich. As of December 31, 2025, the bank reports a balance sheet total of approximately EUR 4.1 billion, primary deposits of EUR 3.4 billion, primary loans of EUR 2.7 billion, and a CET1 capital ratio of 20.1%, indicating a well-capitalized mid-sized institution with approximately 532 full-time equivalents (~650 total employees) and around 12,900 cooperative members.

The bank's core product architecture is centered on the VKB Connect digital platform — a web-based online banking system with iOS, Android, and Huawei mobile applications, secured via pushTAN (mobile or desktop) and cardTAN authentication. VKB Connect Business extends the platform with multi-bank aggregation, role-based permissions, digital signatures, and EBICS-based automated file exchange for corporate clients. The product portfolio spans savings (Online-Sparkonto, Online-Sparbrief, UmweltPlus-Sparen, VKB-Sparbuch), investment (proprietary VKB-Fonds plus Article 8 and Article 6 funds distributed via Gutmann and Amundi Austria, VKB-Anleihen, VKB-Kombi-Mix), state-subsidized building savings via Bausparkasse Wüstenrot, and sustainability-labeled products (UZ 49-certified VKB-Zukunftskonto).

VKB's revenue model is built on traditional banking mechanics: net interest income from regional lending funded exclusively by customer deposits, supplemented by transaction and commission income from securities trading, insurance distribution, fund management, and Bausparkasse cooperation fees. Distribution combines a sales-led branch advisory model with a direct-to-consumer self-service channel (VKB Connect), supported by the VKB Team Digital phone service and digital onboarding. All deposits are recycled into regional loans, positioning the bank's value proposition around regional economic support, personal advisory on equal footing, and 150+ years of brand continuity, complemented by the long-running VKB Wissenschaftspreis science prize and cultural sponsorships in Upper Austria.

Name

VKB-Bank

Legal name

Volkskreditbank AG

Website

https://vkb-bank.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

1873

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

VKB-Bank is an independent Austrian cooperative bank (founded 1873) serving private customers and SMEs across Oberösterreich, Wien, Salzburg, Steiermark, and western Niederösterreich with retail, business, and wealth management services delivered via 32 branches and the VKB Connect digital platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Linz

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Interest Income: Core banking revenue from interest margins on loans and mortgages financed by customer deposits. Deposits are exclusively used for regional credits, supporting the local economy.
2. Securities Business: Revenue from securities trading, investment fund management, and brokerage services for stocks, bonds, and investment funds.
3. Insurance Products: Revenue from insurance product distribution and advisory services.
4. Construction Financing: Home construction loans and building society (Bausparen) products, including cooperation with Bausparkasse Wüstenrot AG.
5. Digital Banking Services: Online banking platform services including VKB Connect, mobile apps, and electronic banking with various authentication methods.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

VKB-Bank is a cooperatively owned Austrian regional bank providing retail and commercial banking products including current and savings accounts, fixed-term savings bonds, building savings (Bausparen), investment funds, securities trading, and insurance distribution through 32 branches and a digital banking platform (VKB Connect). All customer deposits are exclusively used to finance regional credits in Austria, with the institution emphasizing personal advisory relationships and long-term stability since its founding in 1873.

Product overview

VKB-Bank operates a unified banking platform centered on VKB Connect (retail) and VKB Connect Business (corporate) online banking systems, both supporting multi-factor authentication via pushTAN and cardTAN. The product portfolio spans savings products (Online-Sparkonto, Online-Sparbrief, UmweltPlus-Sparen, VKB-Sparbuch), investment products (VKB-Fonds, VKB-Anleihen, VKB-Kombi-Mix), building savings (Bausparen via Wüstenrot), green banking (VKB-Zukunftskonto with Austrian Eco-Label), and digital tools (Online-Rechner suite including Kreditrechner, Haushaltsbudgetplaner, KFZ-Leasingrechner, Goldrechner, Eigentum-statt-Miete-Check). The ecosystem includes complementary mobile apps (VKB Connect App, VKB Connect Business App) and desktop authentication solutions (pushTAN Desktop variants), supported by deposit insurance and the annual VKB Wissenschaftspreis academic award. All services are backed by regional sustainability commitments and ESG-compliant investment screening.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VKB CONNECT: Online banking platform for personal financial management, available via web and mobile app with pushTAN security.
• VKB CONNECT Business
• VKB Team Digital
• VKB Plus Fonds
• VKB Zukunftskonto
• VKB-Genossenschaftsstiftung Dr. Pfeifauf
• VKB-Kombi-Mix
• VKB Immobilien
• UmweltPlus-Sparen

Products and services

• VKB Connect (Retail Online Banking) Web-based personal online banking platform for VKB retail customers enabling real-time financial management, account overview, transfers, securities trading, secure messaging, and pushTAN/cardTAN authentication across web and mobile.
• VKB Connect Business (Corporate Online Banking) Web-based business banking portal for entrepreneurs and corporate customers featuring multi-bank functionality, digital signatures, individual role and permission management, and direct communication with customer advisors.
• VKB Online-Sparkonto (Online Savings Account) Daily callable digital savings account with 24/7 access via VKB Connect, flexible deposit and withdrawal capabilities, and automatic interest adjustment tied to the consumer price index for retail customers.
• VKB Online-Sparbrief (Online Savings Bond) Fixed-term online savings bond with competitive fixed interest rates, flexible terms, and a minimum deposit of EUR 1,000 for retail customers.
• UmweltPlus-Sparen (Environmental Savings) Environmental savings product with 3- or 6-year terms supporting annual environmental projects through voluntary VKB environmental bonus contributions, quarterly interest rate adjustments, and rates up to 1.110% p.a.
• VKB-Sparbuch (Traditional Savings Book) Traditional savings book product with variable interest rates depending on term length, starting from 0.150% p.a. with monthly interest payments for retail customers.
• Bausparen (Building Savings) State-subsidized building savings product offered in cooperation with Bausparkasse Wüstenrot AG, featuring KESt-free state building savings bonus up to EUR 1,200 per person per year and increased entry interest rates.
• VKB-Zukunftskonto (Future/Sustainable Salary Account) Green, sustainable salary account certified with the Austrian Eco-Label (Österreichisches Umweltzeichen UZ 49), financing exclusively taxonomy-compliant regional loans, with paperless account opening and a debit card made from 99.9% recycled PVC.
• VKB-Kombi-Mix (Combined Savings and Investment Product) Combined investment product linking VKB-Sparbrief with securities investment (VKB-Anleihen, VKB-Fonds, or selected external funds) for balanced wealth building among retail customers.
• VKB-Fonds (Investment Fund Family) Proprietary investment fund family managed in cooperation with Gutmann and Amundi Austria, including VKB Plus Fonds, VKB Zukunft Plus, VKB Dividende Plus, VKB Vorsorge Plus, and VKB Anleihen Plus, with ESG classifications (Article 8 sustainability and Article 6 standard).
• VKB-Anleihen (VKB Bonds) Fixed-interest VKB bonds with predictable returns and defined maturity periods, available standalone or as part of the VKB-Kombi-Mix combined product for retail customers.
• Kontowechselservice (Account Switching Service) Online account switching service enabling customers to transfer their banking relationship to VKB quickly, conveniently, and free of charge from a previous bank.
• VKB Team Digital (Phone and Email Customer Service) Central telephone and email customer service team providing branch-independent support for account inquiries, product information, and service requests on weekdays from 07:30 to 17:00 (16:00 on Fridays).

Quantifiable outcome

• Customer deposits exclusively finance regional loans, supporting local economic growth and job creation in Austria
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bausparkasse Wüstenrot AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Long-standing cooperation between VKB and Bausparkasse Wüstenrot AG for building society products (Bausparen). VKB acts as independent regional bank offering Wüstenrot building savings products including state bonuses and conditional access to favorable construction loans.
• OÖ. StiftskonzertecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual cultural sponsorship partnership for the Upper Austrian Stiftskonzerte concert series held in St. Florian. VKB serves as sponsor, with Vorstandsdirektor Markus Forsthuber serving as President of the concert series organization. Partnership reinforces regional cultural engagement.
• DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVKB-Bank partnership as presenting sponsor of DTM racing events at Spielberg, featuring Thomas Preining as DTM champion. Event celebrates with approximately 1,300 customers and partners annually, combining sports marketing with customer appreciation.
• Gutmann Kapitalanlagegesellschaft m.b.H.coreTechnology or IntegrationCooperation with Austrian investment fund company for Article 8 sustainability funds (VKB Zukunft Plus, VKB Dividende Plus) and Article 6 standard funds (VKB-Vorsorge Plus, VKB Anleihen Plus). VKB distributes funds managed by Gutmann, applying ESG exclusion criteria for Article 8 products.
• BIO-Imkerei StiefmüllerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSustainability partnership since 2020 with organic beekeeping operation in Oberndorf bei Schwanenstadt. VKB holds patronage of two bee colonies (EUR 2,000 annually) and collaborated on honey production project 2023. Partnership reflects environmental values and regional organic agriculture support.
• Naturschutzverein ZitadelleminorGTM or Marketing Partner2024 environmental partnership with nature conservation association dedicated to preserving old and rare tree species in Upper Austria. VKB assumes tree sponsorship for 20 trees, with apple juice from harvest distributed as customer gift, supporting biodiversity and regional nature conservation.
• AFRESHED (Linzer Start-up)minorGTM or Marketing Partner2022 sustainability partnership combating food waste through 'Retterboxen' (Rescuer Boxes) subscription service. VKB supported by ordering rescue box subscriptions for all branches for 4 weeks, distributing rescued organic produce to customers. Partnership addresses food waste while supporting regional entrepreneurship.
• VKB-Genossenschaftsstiftung Dr. PfeifaufcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation established by former VKB General Director Dr. Otto Pfeifauf, dedicated to promoting scientific excellence in law, social and economic sciences with focus on banking and cooperative topics. Awards annual VKB Wissenschaftspreis since 1993 with total prize money of EUR 6,000.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• HYPO Oberösterreich: Austrian regional Hypothekenbank headquartered in Linz with housing finance, retail and SME banking focus. Comparable in geographic footprint (Upper Austria), customer segments and product mix centred on deposits, mortgages and construction financing.
• Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich: Austrian regional cooperative bank headquartered in Linz with overlapping Upper Austrian footprint, providing retail, SME and corporate banking plus investment products. Direct competitor for the same Mittelstand customer base VKB serves.
• Oberbank AG: Listed regional Austrian universal bank with strong presence in Upper Austria, Salzburg, Tyrol, Vienna and Bavaria/Saxony. Closely comparable to VKB in customer focus (Mittelstand and private banking), product mix (deposits, lending, securities, Bausparen) and branch-based distribution model.
• Volksbank Wien-Baden: Austrian Volksbank cooperative bank with shared genossenschaftliche Eigentumsstruktur and overlapping Mittelstand focus. Operates within the Volksbanken Verbund but serves comparable retail and SME customers in a similar Austrian regional footprint.
• Sparkasse Oberösterreich: Regional savings bank serving Upper Austria with retail and SME banking, deposit-taking and lending. Comparable in geography, customer segments (private and Mittelstand) and physical distribution strength.
• Bank für Tirol und Vorarlberg (BTV): Austrian regional universal bank serving Western Austria with comparable retail, corporate and private banking product sets. Similar size and Mittelstand focus make it a strong comparable for VKB's regional franchise model.

Broad incumbents

• Erste Group Bank AG: Largest Austrian banking group and a broad incumbent operating retail, SME and corporate banking across CEE. Competitor for both retail customers and Mittelstand corporate clients in VKB's regional markets, though at vastly greater scale.
• Bawag Group AG: Major Austrian retail and SME bank with national footprint. Competes for retail deposits, consumer lending and SME banking products in VKB's markets, but operates at substantially larger scale and listed equity base.
• Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI): Austrian universal bank and broad incumbent serving corporates, SMEs and retail customers across Austria and CEE. Competes with VKB in the Mittelstand segment and deposit gathering through the wider Raiffeisen sector in Austria.

Emerging players

• Sparda-Bank Austria: Austrian cooperative banking institution serving public-sector employees with retail deposits and lending. Comparable in cooperative ownership structure and Austrian retail focus, but with a narrower employee-segment customer base than VKB's broader Mittelstand franchise.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vkb-bank

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VKB-Bank