Finance + Insurance

The center of competence in Continental Europe

Frankfurt is one of the most important financial hubs in the world: renowned German and international banks, the European Central Bank, Deutsche Börse AG and the offices of foreign national banks make this city the most important center of the finance industry in continental Europe. This concentration has given rise to a unique network of financial services providers, in which agents appreciate the short distances in pleasant surroundings.

Important links for the finance industry

CONTACT

Olaf Atja Lemmingson
Head of International Business Communities, Clusters;
Financial Markets; France, Spain
phone +49 69 212-40840
fax +49 69 21298-22
olaf.lemmingson@frankfurt-business.net

Key Players

International world of finance
The largest banks of the world are represented in Frankfurt, among them Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Citibank, Banco Santander, Crédit Suisse, BNP Paribas, ING, Banco do Brasil as well as Sberbank, the largest Russian financial institution. Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, DZ-Bank, Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen, KfW Banking Group and DEKA Banking Group have their corporate headquarters in Frankfurt. 18 of the 25 largest banks worldwide have offices here.

The insurance industry is represented by large domestic institutions such as R+V, Alte Leipziger and Allianz. In addition, there are foreign companies such as Helvetia and the Zurich Group.
Stock exchange headquaters

Alongside the New York, London and Tokyo Stock Exchanges, Deutsche Börse AG is one of the largest stock exchanges in the world. The Eurex Futures Exchange is a firm member of the top four future exchanges worldwide. One of the corporation’s strengths is the XETRA electronic trading system, one of the most modern and efficient systems of its kind, which is used by many other exchanges, too. In addition, more and more of the world’s leading stock exchanges are following the German example of integrating business: through its clearing houses, Deutsche Börse AG offers trade, settlement and storage of stocks and shares integrated in a single agent.
Investment base

It is not only the banks, but also the about 40 investment companies and about 90 financial services providers which make Frankfurt Germany’s foremost center of the finance industry. Many of these companies operate globally, others acquire their competitive edge through specializing in the European or German market. Among their number are the DWS Group, DEKA Group, UBS Global Asset Management, Allianz Global Investors, and Nomura Asset Management.

Furthermore, the Federal Association of Investment and Asset Managers (BVI) has its headquarters in Frankfurt, and the German Private Equity and Venture Capital Association regularly hosts events here.
Center for supervision and regulation

As the home of the European Central Bank (ECB), Frankfurt is the city of the Euro. The decisions on the monetary policy of the Eurozone are taken here, affecting about 330 million people. Many central banks and national banks have made Frankfurt the seat of their German or European representation. The European Central Bank, the European Systemic Risk Board, the German Federal Bank, Bafin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority), Soffin (Special Financial Market Stabilization Fund) and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority EIOPA all have their headquarters in Frankfurt. Furthermore, some state banks from abroad have offices in the financial hub, including the People’s Bank of China, the Bank of Japan, the Turkish Central Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Frankfurt Main Finance e.V.
The Frankfurt Main Finance e.V. initiative speaks on behalf of the agents of the financial industry in Frankfurt and receives support from Frankfurt Economic Development GmbH. It supplies information on the companies, institutions, services, products and events related to the financial industry and offers an excellent insight into the financial community’s activities.

International Bankers Forum e.V. c/o Maleki Group
The International Bankers Forum e.V.’s aims are to facilitate the exchange of ideas in areas relating to banking, the economy and society, with special focus on the middle management of international banks. The Forum supports the foundation of centers to initiate, maintain and support international encounters. It organizes public lectures and publishes documents and information on new developments in the banking sector.

Verband der Auslandsbanken in Deutschland e.V.
The Association of International Banks in Germany represents the interests of more than 200 foreign banks, investment management companies, financial services providers and representative offices in Germany. It promotes the economic interests of its members and represents their common concerns in dealing with lawmakers, supervisory authorities and other institutions.

Vereinigung der Repräsentanten ausländischer Banken in Deutschland e.V.
The Association of Representatives of Foreign Banks is the oldest representation of its kind in Germany. Its aim is the facilitation of communication and cooperation amongst its members and the cooperation with banks and institutions in Germany. At present, the association counts about 150 members, who are representatives, directors or executives of foreign banks, in addition to the sponsor members.

Deutsches Aktieninstitut e.V.
The German Stock Institute is the association of companies and institutions operating in the German equity market. Since 2003, it has been the successor of the disbanded association “Finanzplatz e.V.”, representing the interests of Germany as a location for financial business. The association is dedicated to strengthening Germany’s position in the international competition as a location for financial services, to contributing to the improvement of the working conditions for the equity market, and to improving corporate financing in Germany.

Europäisches Finanz Forum e.V.
The European Finance Forum (EFF) association meets on the second Monday of every month. The exchange of experiences is at the core of the FFF’s activities. Usually, a member or invited expert delivers a lecture on a current topic. Afterwards, there is the opportunity to exchange ideas. There is no entry fee to the events, which are open to guests.

GREEN finance consulting e.V.
GREEN finance consulting is the first business consultancy run by students which specializes in banks and financial service providers. GREEN is renowned for its outstanding consultancy services characterized by the five attributes Growth, Reliance, Efficiency, Enthusiasm, and Network.

Goethe University Frankfurt – Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
No other German-language university has the same concentration of financial research at such a high level. Since 2001, it has followed the principle of combining “Finance and Money” into a general focus of development for the university, including related legal areas. With some 20 professors and over 100 academics, this is also a leading area in quantitative terms. Bachelor and Master studies and a Law and Finance further training course are also offered.

House of Finance
With the launch of the House of Finance in May 2008, the “financial disciplines” of economics and business studies and legal sciences are all combined under one roof. This project is unique in Germany. About 130 academics from 6 leading research institutions and 4 finance related professorships will work alongside one another and together at the House of Finance.

Goethe Business School (GBS)
GBS is the center for high-quality management education at Frankfurt’s Goethe University. GBS’ master and customized programs are designed to meet the highest academic quality standards and taught by experienced faculty members from different disciplines from academia and business.

Frankfurt university of applied sciences
(Fachhochschule Frankfurt)
offers studies in

International Finance (Bachelor of Science) and
International Finance and Law (Dipl.-Betriebswirt(in))

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
The leading private Business School offers studies and further training courses that are recognised by the state and accredited by FIBAA. They lead to Bachelors and Masters degrees. Managers can take further training in vocational courses. They can also choose between different degrees, each with a specific focus.

European Business School (EBS)
The International University Castle Reichartshausen is Germany’s leading business school. In addition to Bachelor and Master courses in business sciences, the EBS also offers excellent training for managers, including vocational further training programmes (Certificate Programmes) in the area of “Private Finance & Wealth Management”. The EBS was the first university in Germany to create an endowment chair in the areas of Private Finance & Wealth Management.

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