Authorised financial services institutions

The addresses listed here are the primary registered offices of the respective institutions.

Exempted undertakings pursuant to section 2 (4), (5) or (7) of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz – KWG)

Credit institutions and/or financial services institutions exempt from the main supervisory provisions under section 2 (4), (5) or (7) KWG which do not require full supervision due to the special nature of their business activities.

Financial services institutions operating on a cross-border basis

In accordance with section 53b (1) KWG, financial services institutions may operate in Germany on a cross-border basis without a local presence under the EU provisions on the freedom to provide services. Supervision is carried out exclusively by the supervisory authority of the home country.

Credit institutions operating on a cross-border basis

In accordance with section 53b (1) KWG, credit institutions may operate in Germany on a cross-border basis without a local presence under the EU provisions on the freedom to provide services. Supervision is carried out exclusively by the supervisory authority of the home country.

EU Management companies operating on a cross-border basis

Management companies operating on a cross-border basis pursuant to section 51 (1) and section 54 (1) of the German Investment Code (Kapitalanlagegesetz - KAGB) domiciled in another EU/EEA state that may carry out activities subject to the notification requirements pursuant to section 20 (2) KAGB, and section 6 (4) of the Directive 2011/61/EU respectively, within the framework of the cross-border provision of services. Authorisation and supervision are carried out by the responsible authorities in the home country.

Authorised asset management companies (Kapitalanlagegesellschaften) and authorised investment stock corporations (Investmentaktiengesellschaften)

Asset management companies are undertakings whose business is focused on managing domestic collective investment schemes (inländische Investmentvermögen) within the meaning of section 1 sentence 1 no. 1 InvG, and providing services or ancillary services pursuant to section 7 (2) InvG.

The object of the business of the investment stock corporation as laid down in its articles of association must be the investment and management of its funds, based on the principle of risk diversification, in assets within the meaning of section 2 (4) nos. 1 to 4, 7, and 9 to 11 InvG, with the sole purpose of allowing their shareholders to participate in the profit arising from the management of the assets of the company.

Authorised credit institutions

The addresses listed below are the main registered offices of the institutions.

Deposit-taking credit institutions are credit institutions which receive deposits or other unconditionally repayable funds from the public and conduct lending business.

Securities trading banks are credit institutions which are not deposit-taking credit institutions and which conduct banking business within the meaning of section 1 (1) sentence 2 no. 4 or no. 10 of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz – KWG) or provide financial services within the meaning of section 1 (1a) sentence 2 nos 1 to 4 KWG.

E-money institutions are credit institutions which solely conduct e-money business.

The category „other institutions“ covers any institution that cannot be allocated to any of the other categories, for example housing companies with saving facilities and credit institutions with special functions.

Notified representative offices

Representative offices of foreign institutions pursuant to section 53a KWG may neither carry out banking activities, nor provide financial services. Their establishment is subject to a notification requirement, and the representative office may only take up its activities once it has received confirmation from BaFin. There is no ongoing supervision.

Note: The address listed in connection with a representative office pursuant to section 53a KWG is the registered office of the respective representative office in Germany. If there is more than one representative office in Germany, the address refers to the representative office listed with the Federal Authority as the “head office”.

Branches (Zweigniederlassungen) and branch offices (Zweigstellen) of foreign institutions

Branches: In accordance with section 53b (1) KWG, a deposit-taking credit institution or a securities trading firm domiciled in another EEA state may set up a branch in Germany and conduct banking business, except for investment activities, or provide financial services without authorisation from BaFin. Supervision is carried out by the supervisory authority of the home country, and only on a limited basis by BaFin.

Note: The address listed in connection with a branch pursuant to section 53b KWG is the registered office of the respective branch in Germany. If there is more than one branch in Germany, the address refers to the branch listed with BaFin as the “head office”.

Branch offices: In accordance with section 53 (1) KWG, an enterprise domiciled outside Germany may maintain a branch office in Germany which conducts banking business or provides financial services. The branch office is then deemed to be a credit institution or a financial services institution. If the enterprise maintains several branch offices in Germany, they are deemed to be one institution. Supervision of the branch office is carried out by BaFin.

Note: The address listed in connection with a branch office pursuant to section 53 KWG is the registered office of the respective branch office in Germany. If there is more than one branch office in Germany, the address refers to the branch office listed with BaFin as the “head office”.

Branches of management companies: In accordance with section 13 (1) InvG, a management company domiciled in another EEA state may set up a branch in Germany and perform activities in accordance with section 7 (2) InvG without authorisation from BaFin. Supervision is carried out by the supervisory authority of the home country, and only on a limited basis by BaFin.

Note: The address listed in connection with a branch in accordance with section 13 (1) InvG is the registered office of the respective branch in Germany. If there is more than one branch in Germany, the address refers to the branch listed with BaFin as the “head office”.

Insurance undertakings

The register of undertakings lists all the insurers and pension funds which are supervised by BaFin. In addition, you will find the addresses of the insurers from the European Economic Area who carry on insurance business in Germany under the freedom to provide services or via a branch. Supervision of these companies is primarily carried out by the insurance supervisor of the insurer’s home country. The internet addresses of the foreign supervisory authorities are listed here.