Bank trusts are essential players in the wealth management space. Acting as fiduciaries, these institutions support families, individuals, and organizations with estate planning, asset protection, and long-term wealth preservation strategies.
For investment managers, identifying the right bank trust relationships (especially across international markets) can be complex. These firms often operate behind the scenes, with limited public visibility. Dakota Marketplace helps simplify the search by offering verified data, allocator context, and direct contact information, all in one place.
In this article, we are giving you a list of the top 10 bank trusts in Germany. To see the full list, you can view it in Dakota Marketplace.
1. Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe
AUM: $2.7T
Metro: Berlin
Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe operates as a Bank and is headquartered at Charlottenstr. 47, Berlin. The organization is recognized as Europe's largest financial services provider, comprising over 500 decentralized public-sector financial institutions. It serves over 50 million customers by managing deposits and providing universal banking services, while also acting as a significant lender for domestic corporates and private households.
The Group reports total AUM of €2.7 trillion. It operates through a decentralized structure, fulfilling a public mandate to serve local communities. Its offerings include access to alternative investments via subsidiaries such as DekaBank, which provides investment products including real estate funds, alongside private equity and equity investment services through specialized capital participation companies.
2. Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken Cooperative Financial Group
AUM: $1.64T
Metro: Berlin
Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken Cooperative Financial Group operates as a Bank and is based at Schellingstrasse 4, Berlin. The organization is a significant player in the German financial landscape, adhering to cooperative principles and providing a comprehensive suite of financial services, including retail banking, corporate lending, insurance, and asset management. It primarily serves its members and the German Mittelstand (SMEs).
The Group manages an AUM of €1.64 trillion. It functions as a decentralized network comprising approximately 670 independent cooperative banks and employs a robust "everything under one roof" model through specialized subsidiaries, including DZ BANK, Union Investment, R+V Versicherung, and DZ HYP. This structure is supported by a strong institutional protection scheme, ensuring stability and security for its members.
3. Deutsche Bank AG
AUM: $1.25T
Metro: Frankfurt
Deutsche Bank AG, a Bank based in Frankfurt, is focused on managing its pension scheme's risks effectively. Notably, the firm completed a £570 million pensioner buy-in deal with Legal & General Assurance Society in February 2021. This strategic move aligns with the broader de-risking strategy of the Deutsche Bank (UK) Pension Scheme, aiming to secure members' benefits and reduce risks for both the scheme and the bank. The scheme, with assets of approximately £4.5 billion, operates under a subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG and maintains a funding surplus.
Deutsche Bank AG oversees an AUM of $1.25 trillion and emphasizes alternative investments, particularly in private equity through RREEF Alternative Investments. The establishment of the DB Secondary Opportunities Private Equity Fund, raising $775 million, showcases the firm's commitment to expanding its offerings in the alternative investments space. Additionally, the bank's strategic vision for 2024 includes a focus on sustainable growth, positioning itself as the 'Global Hausbank' with a suite of financial products and services. Deutsche Bank's transition towards sustainable growth involves enabling over €500 billion in ESG financing and investments by 2025, demonstrating its dedication to supporting clients in their journey towards a more sustainable and digitized economy.
4. Hamburg Commercial Bank
AUM: $746B
Metro: Hamburg
Hamburg Commercial Bank is a Bank located at Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz 50, Hamburg. The company serves as a private commercial bank and specialist financier, offering tailored financial solutions to its clientele. With a focus on transparency and innovation, it provides detailed advice to support management decisions, foster economic growth, and drive progress.
Hamburg Commercial Bank manages an impressive AUM of $746.17B. Committed to reliability and customer-centric services, the bank demonstrates its dedication through tangible actions and accessible financial solutions. Operating within the Hamburg metro area, the bank continuously evolves to meet the specific needs of its customers and drive positive change in its environment.
5. DZ Bank Group
AUM: $627B
Metro: Frankfurt
DZ Bank Group is a Bank organization based in Frankfurt am Main. Part of the Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken Cooperative Financial Group, it is among the largest banking groups in Germany. The group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, insurance, financing, asset management, and wealth management. One of its subsidiaries, DZ PrivatBank, manages investments for high net worth clients using a core-satellite portfolio approach, overseeing assets exceeding $20B.
The DZ Bank Group manages a substantial AUM of $627B and focuses on a core-satellite strategy for client portfolios. The core component typically constitutes 70% of the portfolio, comprising core stocks and bonds, while the remaining 30% consists of satellite positions tailored to specific market themes. The group emphasizes active management to adjust satellite positions based on evolving market conditions, providing a full-service package for capital investment administration in collaboration with its subsidiaries.
6. Commerzbank
AUM: $507B
Metro: Frankfurt
Commerzbank is a Bank based in Frankfurt, Germany. Established in 1870, it is the second-largest bank in Germany, offering a wide array of financial services to private, corporate, and institutional clients. The bank's services include retail banking, asset management, and corporate finance, with a notable emphasis on the German market and international financial markets.
Commerzbank manages a substantial AUM of $507B and provides investment management solutions such as asset management and term deposits. The bank focuses on tailoring investment strategies to clients' risk tolerance and market perspectives, utilizing an open architecture to offer a diverse range of securities products. Commerzbank's collaboration with Deutsche Börse and fintech 360X showcases its commitment to digital transformation through blockchain-based marketplaces, aiming to unlock new revenue streams and innovative investment opportunities in previously illiquid asset classes.
7. KfW Banking Group
AUM: $506B
Metro: Frankfurt
KfW Banking Group operates as a Bank and is headquartered at Zeppelinallee 8, Frankfurt. The institution, established in 1948 as part of the Marshall Plan, is recognized as one of the world's largest national development banks. KfW focuses on financing and supporting economic, social, and environmental development both within Germany and internationally. The bank is associated with the Frankfurt metro area and plays a vital role in promoting sustainable economic growth through various initiatives.
KfW Banking Group manages an AUM of €506 billion. In 2023, the bank allocated €111.3 billion, with a significant portion directed towards climate and environmental protection initiatives, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, KfW engages in alternative investments, notably through the PtX Development Fund, which supports projects related to green hydrogen, thereby contributing to global decarbonization efforts and fostering innovation and economic growth in developing regions.
8. DekaBank
AUM: $404B
Metro: Frankfurt
DekaBank operates as a Bank and is headquartered at Mainzer Landstrasse 16, Frankfurt. The institution is associated with the Frankfurt metro area. It holds a significant position in the financial industry, reflecting its established presence.
DekaBank reports total AUM of approximately $404.25 billion. This substantial asset base underscores its capacity to serve a diverse range of clients and contribute to various financial markets.
9. Hauck AufHauser Lampe
AUM: $272B
Metro: Frankfurt
Hauck AufHauser Lampe is a Bank headquartered at Goetheplatz 9-11, Frankfurt in the Frankfurt metro area. Formed from the merger of three historic banking institutions, the bank offers a comprehensive suite of financial services, catering to high-net-worth individuals, family offices, mid-cap companies, institutional investors, and independent asset managers.
Hauck AufHauser Lampe manages a substantial AUM of €272 billion. The bank's investment activities span traditional and alternative assets, including equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, and hedge funds. Emphasizing sustainability, the bank integrates ESG criteria into its investment processes, aiming for sustainable financial returns while positively impacting society and the environment.
10. Landesbank Baden-Württemberg
AUM: $241B
Metro: Stuttgart
Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg is a Bank based in Singapore. Situated at 79 Robinson Road #20-01, it serves as a regional hub offering retail banking, corporate finance, wealth management, and digital banking solutions to local and international clients. The branch ensures robust customer support, innovative financial products, and compliance with MAS regulations to facilitate regional growth within Singapore's financial district.
The bank manages an impressive AUM of $300 billion. While specific details about the platform, alternative platform, opportunity descriptions, and sub-type are not available, Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg's significant AUM underscores its substantial presence and influence in the financial sector, particularly within the dynamic financial landscape of Singapore.
To view more bank trusts in Germany or other countries, book a demo of Dakota Marketplace.
