What Harzsparkasse does

Harzsparkasse is a regional German Sparkasse (savings bank) organized as a public-law institution (Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts) headquartered in Wernigerode, Saxony-Anhalt, serving retail and business customers across the Harz region. The institution operates within the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe — Germany's largest banking group — and combines a regional branch network with the group's shared digital infrastructure, including approximately 20,000 group ATMs.

Its product portfolio spans giro and card products (giro accounts, credit cards, Sparkassen-Card), consumer and business lending (personal, auto, mortgage, modernization, overdraft, climate/Klima loans), savings and investment products distributed via DekaBank and SmartVermögen, insurance via ÖSA as a bound agent, real-estate services (Cockpit Immobilie, LBS IMMOBILIEN, LBS-Bausparen), and private-banking offerings. The underlying technology stack rests on group-level platforms: the Sparkassen-App for retail and business customers (with Multibanking aggregation and primary-account/Hausbankprogramm features), online and mobile banking with PSD2-compliant authentication (chip-TAN, photo-TAN, App-TAN), and integrations with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Wero, and PAYBACK. Electronic mailbox (Mein elektronisches Postfach), Linda digital assistant, WhatsApp and video-Beraterchat channels supplement traditional advisory.

The business model is the standard Sparkassen model: net interest income from lending and deposits, supplemented by fee and commission revenue from securities (Deka), insurance (ÖSA), building society products (LBS), and lotteries (PS-Lotterie), with pricing signals on giro accounts, cards, and Bausparen visible in published fee schedules. Customer segments are mass-market retail, local business/SME customers, and private-banking clients in the Harz regional catchment. Supervision falls under BaFin and the ECB; deposit protection is provided via the institutional protection scheme of the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe.

Name

Harzsparkasse

Legal name

Harzsparkasse

Website

https://harzsparkasse.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Harzsparkasse is a regional German Sparkasse (public-law savings bank) headquartered in Wernigerode, Saxony-Anhalt, serving retail, SME, and private-banking customers in the Harz region with deposits, lending, payments, insurance, and securities distributed via the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Wernigerode

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Interest Income from Lending: Harzsparkasse generates primary revenue through interest earned on loans and credit facilities including mortgages (S-Baufinanzierung), personal loans (S-Privatkredit), auto loans (S-Autokredit), and overdraft facilities (Dispositionskredit, Überziehungskredit). Interest rates disclosed: Dispositionskredit 11.99% p.a., Überziehungskredit 14.99% p.a.
2. Account Maintenance Fees: Monthly account fees for giro account models including Giro Light (€4.95/month, reducible to €0 with Hausbankprogramm), Giro Vario, Giro Komfort, and Giro Start. Hausbankprogramm allows customers to earn discounts on monthly fees by consolidating banking relationships.
3. Transaction and Service Fees: Fees for banking transactions, card services (Sparkassen-Card, credit cards including Visa Standard, Gold, Platinum), foreign transactions, and specialized services. Electronic Postfach and other digital services generate ancillary fee income.
4. Insurance Distribution: Commission income from sale of insurance products including ÖSA Versicherungen (property, life, legal, accident, vehicle), UKV health insurance, ProTect credit protection, and other insurance products. Harzsparkasse acts as bound insurance agent for ÖSA.
5. Bauspar and Investment Products: Revenue from LBS-Bausparen (building society savings) contracts and Deka Investments fund distribution. Includes state-subsidized savings products like Wohnungsbau-Prämie, vermögenswirksame Leistungen, and Riester-Rente products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Harzsparkasse is a German public savings bank that provides retail and commercial banking, lending, savings, investment, insurance distribution, and real estate services to private and corporate customers in the Harz region of Saxony-Anhalt. Core offerings include checking accounts (Girokonto tiers), debit and credit cards, mortgage and consumer loans, term and call deposits, securities and investment funds via Deka Investments and S Broker, ÖSA insurance products, LBS building savings, and Private Banking/wealth advisory. Distribution combines a regional branch network with digital channels (Online-Banking, Sparkassen-App, video chat).

Product overview

Harzsparkasse is a German public-sector savings bank (Sparkasse) based in Wernigerode, Saxony-Anhalt, operating as a regional financial institution within the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe. Its product portfolio is structured as a comprehensive, multi-category financial services platform organized around six core pillars: (1) Girokonto and transaction banking (Giro Light/Vario/Komfort/Start, Sparkassen-Card debit cards, Visa credit cards, Online-Banking, Sparkassen-App with S-pushTAN), (2) Loans and financing (S-Privatkredit, S-Autokredit, S-Modernisierungskredit, S-Baufinanzierung, Dispositionskredit, Sparkassen-Klimakredit), (3) Savings and investment (S-Tagesgeld, Harzsparen Digital, Goldenes Sparbuch, Sparkassenbrief, S-Termingeld, Sparkassen-Anlagegoldkonto, PS-Lotterie-Sparen, Spartöpfe), (4) Securities and asset management via Deka Investments and S Broker (DekaBank Depot, SmartVermögen, S ComfortDepot, S Broker App, Anlagekonfigurator), (5) Insurance products distributed as an ÖSA tied agent, and (6) Real estate services including the Cockpit Immobilie digital tool, LBS-Bausparen building savings, and Private Banking. Supporting features include the Finanzplaner digital household book, Multibanking account aggregation,PAYBACK loyalty program, Hausbankprogramm relationship management, and the Elektronisches Postfach digital document management system. Harzsparkasse does not manufacture its own technology products; instead it distributes the standardized digital platforms and sub-brands of the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe (Sparkassen-App, Online-Banking, Deka, S-Broker, LBS) tailored to its regional customer base.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LBS-Bausparen: Building savings (Bausparen) product offered in partnership with LBS (Landesbausparkasse), enabling customers to save for housing with state subsidies.
• S-Baufinanzierung
• Sparkassen-App
• S-pushTAN
• Harzsparen Digital

Products and services

• Girokonto (Giro Light, Giro Vario, Giro Komfort, Giro Start) Core checking account product line offered in four tiers — Giro Light (online-focused, from EUR 4.95/month), Giro Vario, Giro Komfort, and Giro Start (for young customers) — each providing a Sparkassen-Card debit card, Online-Banking access, and the Sparkassen-App. Designed for private individuals in the Harz region requiring everyday transactional banking.
• Sparkassen-Card (Debitkarte) Standard debit card issued with Girokonto accounts, enabling ATM withdrawals at approximately 20,000 Sparkassen ATMs across Germany free of charge and contactless payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay.
• Visa Standard, Visa Card Gold, Visa Card Platinum (Kreditkarten) Three-tier credit card portfolio offering worldwide acceptance at over 24 million locations, flexible repayment options, and optional 3-D Secure authentication via the S-pushTAN app. Designed for retail customers seeking additional purchasing power and travel payment flexibility.
• Sparkassen-App Harzsparkasse's mobile banking application — described as Germany's most-used banking app — offering account management, transfers via giropay/Kwitt, photo-transfer, Wero integration, Card Control, Multibanking, and contactless Apple Pay/Google Pay setup for private customers.
• Sparkassen-App Business Business-focused variant of the Sparkassen-App providing firm customers with 24/7 access to all business accounts, smartphone-based accounting preparation, and seamless integration with the S-Firmenkundenportal desktop platform.
• Online-Banking (Internet-Filiale) Browser-based online banking platform providing 24/7 access to account management, transfers, standing orders, electronic postbox (Elektronisches Postfach), and digital account services for private and business customers. Includes device recognition (Geräteerkennung) for trusted device login.
• S-Privatkredit Personal installment loan for flexible financing needs, offered through the Kreditfinder tool and accessible via online application for private customers.
• S-Autokredit Specialized vehicle financing loan for purchasing new or used automobiles for private customers.
• S-Modernisierungskredit Home modernization loan for financing renovation and improvement projects on existing properties, also available through LBS-Modernisierung partnerships.
• S-Baufinanzierung Comprehensive mortgage and real estate financing product covering purchase, construction, modernization, and follow-on financing. Includes a Baufinanzierungsrechner (mortgage calculator), free advisory on state subsidies, and personalized rate and repayment planning for private customers.
• Dispositionskredit (eingeräumte Kontoüberziehung) Arranged overdraft facility on the Girokonto providing pre-approved credit up to an agreed limit, with an annual interest rate of 11.99% (as stated for Giro Light).
• Sparkassen-Klimakredit Specialized green loan product for environmentally focused financing, offered as part of the consumer credit range.
• S-Tagesgeld Daily deposit account with flexible access and variable interest rates, starting from EUR 25,000 minimum deposit, with funds available at any time.
• Harzsparen Digital Digital savings account offering variable interest from the first euro, with short-term availability, fee-free management, and transfers processed via Online-Banking.
• Goldenes Sparbuch (Sparkassenbuch) Traditional passbook savings account with flexible deposit capability and interest accruing from the first euro, suitable for building financial reserves.
• Sparkassenbrief Fixed-term deposit product starting from EUR 1,000 with guaranteed interest rates and selectable maturities from 1 to 10 years.
• S-Termingeld (Festgeld) Term deposit product with fixed maturity periods and guaranteed interest, offered under the savings and investment category.
• Sparkassen-Anlagegoldkonto (Edelmetallkonto) Precious metals (gold) investment account allowing customers to purchase and hold physical gold within their banking portfolio.
• PS-Lotterie-Sparen Lottery-based savings product combining savings contributions with chances to win prizes, with accumulated savings credited to the customer's chosen account and support for charitable projects.
• Deka Investments Branded securities and investment product line offered in partnership with DekaBank, including DekaBank Depot, fund savings plans (Deka-FondsSparplan), ETFs, certificates, mixed funds, real estate funds, asset management (Deka-Vermögensverwaltung Premium), and the Deka-Connect+ digital service. Minimum regular savings from EUR 25/month.
• S ComfortDepot / S Broker DepotPlus Securities custody account products (S Broker) for trading stocks, funds, ETFs, and certificates, accessible via the S Broker App and online platform.
• Versicherungen (ÖSA / VGH / Diverse) Insurance product portfolio distributed through Harzsparkasse as a tied insurance agent for ÖSA Versicherungen (Saxony-Anhalt). Includes property, liability, accident, motor, travel health, legal protection, dental, pet health, income protection, funeral, and nursing care insurance.
• Sparkassen-Altersvorsorge (RiesterRente, BasisRente, Betriebliche Altersversorgung, ÖSA StrategieRente) Retirement and pension planning product range including RiesterRente (state-subsidized), BasisRente (basic pension), occupational retirement provision (Betriebliche Altersversorgung), ÖSA StrategieRente, and related wealth transfer services (Schenken und Vererben).
• LBS-Bausparen Building savings (Bausparen) product offered in partnership with LBS (Bausparkasse der Sparkassen), providing savings contracts with state subsidies (Wohnungsbau-Prämie, vermögenswirksame Leistungen, Wohn-Riester), fixed interest rates, and access to low-interest construction loans for home purchases, modernization, and renovation.
• Immobilien (S-ImmoPreisfinder, Immobilienvermittlung) Real estate service portfolio including property valuation via S-ImmoPreisfinder, buy/sell/build/finance/lease/rent services, and property insurance, offered in partnership with LBS IMMOBILIEN GMBH.
• Private Banking High-net-worth wealth management service providing generational wealth management and estate planning (Schenken und Vererben) for affluent clients in the Harz region.
• Junge Kundinnen und Kunden (Kinder und Schüler, Auszubildende, Studierende, Berufseinsteiger) Age-segmented product line for young customers, including children's savings accounts (Kinder und Schüler), Auszubildende (apprentice) accounts, student accounts, and Berufseinsteiger (career starter) offerings, under the overarching Junge Kunden umbrella.
• Mietkaution Rental deposit savings account product within the savings and investment range, providing a dedicated account for depositing rental security deposits.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free cash withdrawals at ~20,000 Sparkassen ATMs across Germany
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DekaBank / Deka InvestmentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for securities and investment products. DekaBank is the securities house of the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe providing investment funds, ETFs, wealth management, and certificates. Harzsparkasse offers Deka Investment products including Deka-JuniorPlan Plus, Deka-FutureFlex, sustainable investments, and Deka-Vermögensverwaltung Premium.
• ÖSA Versicherungen (Öffentliche Feuerversicherung Sachsen-Anhalt, Öffentliche Lebensversicherung Sachsen-Anhalt)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBound insurance agent partnership selling ÖSA insurance products including property insurance, life insurance, legal protection, accident coverage, vehicle insurance. ÖSA is the public insurance provider of Saxony-Anhalt.
• LBS IMMOBILIEN GMBHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReal estate partnership for property brokerage services. LBS IMMOBILIEN GMBH is the real estate company of the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe offering property buying, selling, and renting services.
• UKV – Union Krankenversicherung AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealth insurance partnership under ÖSA cooperation. UKV provides supplemental health insurance products offered through Harzsparkasse.
• ÖRAG Rechtsschutzversicherungs-AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLegal insurance partnership under ÖSA cooperation. ÖRAG provides legal protection insurance products offered through Harzsparkasse.
• ProTect Versicherung AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCredit protection insurance partnership. ProTect provides residual debt insurance products offered alongside loans at Harzsparkasse.
• Wero (European Payments Initiative)coreTechnology or IntegrationWero is the European instant payment system enabling real-time money transfers between consumers across Europe. Integrated into Sparkassen-App for payments under 10 seconds. Supported by Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe as part of European Payments Initiative.
• PAYBACKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLoyalty program partnership allowing customers to collect PAYBACK points on transactions. Special promotions like football World Cup quizzes with travel vouchers up to €5,000.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• N26 GmbH: Berlin-based neo-bank offering mobile-first retail banking across Germany. Targeted at the same younger, digital-first customer cohorts (Junge Kunden) that Harzsparkasse seeks to retain.
• Trade Republic Bank GmbH: Berlin-based neo-broker offering retail securities trading, savings, and now current accounts. Increasingly competes with Deka Investments / S-Broker distribution at Harzsparkasse for younger retail investors.

Broad incumbents

• DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank): Direct bank majority-owned by BayernLB and part of the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe ecosystem. Competes directly with Harzsparkasse on retail checking, savings, and brokerage via the same Sparkassen-App and infrastructure.
• ING Deutschland: Major German direct bank with a nationwide retail deposit, mortgage, and brokerage franchise. Competes head-to-head with Sparkassen on digital-first retail and broker products.
• TARGOBANK AG: French-owned consumer bank with strong retail presence in Germany, providing current accounts, consumer credit, and brokerage. Competes with Sparkassen for similar retail and SME customer segments.
• Commerzbank AG: One of Germany's largest private banks, offering retail, SME, and wealth services. Overlaps with Harzsparkasse on retail banking, SME financing, and brokerage, especially in the broader Saxony-Anhalt / Niedersachsen catchment.

Direct peers

• Sparkasse Nürnberg-Erlangen: Large municipal Sparkasse with the same institutional structure (Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts) and full product lineup including Girokonto, Baufinanzierung, Deka Investments, and LBS-Bausparen. Comparable along nearly every product dimension.
• Volksbank Magdeburg eG: Cooperative bank (Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken) operating in the same Saxony-Anhalt geography, offering retail banking, mortgages, and member-centric financial services. A direct competitor for private and SME customers in the Harz region.
• Sparkasse Magdeburg: Another regional public-law Sparkasse in Saxony-Anhalt, offering retail and SME banking, mortgages, and insurance distribution. Highly comparable in institutional structure, product portfolio, and regional focus to Harzsparkasse.
• Kreissparkasse Heilbronn: Regional public savings bank in Baden-Württemberg, comparable in size range and product breadth - Girokonto, mortgage, brokerage, insurance agency. Useful benchmark for similar mid-sized Sparkassen.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Harzsparkasse
• Instagraminstagram.com/harzsparkasse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/harzsparkasse

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Harzsparkasse