BankingLandesbank Hessen-Thüringen Girozentrale (Helaba for short) is a German public law bank founded in 1953 and headquartered in Frankfurt and Erfurt. The main shareholder is the Sparkassen- und Giroverband Hessen-Thüringen association of Hesse and Thuringia (85 percent), with the Hesse government holding 10 percent and the Thuringia government 5 percent. Helaba is part of the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe as the group's central bank in Hesse, Thuringia, North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg, serving around 40% of Germany's savings banks.
Scope of
servicesHelaba covers both the German and international markets. In Germany, in addition to the headquarters location, there are also branches in Düsseldorf, Kassel, Berlin, Stuttgart, Munich and Münster. Internationally, Helaba has branches or representative offices in Paris, London, New York, Madrid, Moscow, Shanghai and Singapore. Its subsidiaries include Frankfurter Sparkasse, the online bank 1822direkt, LBS Hessen-Thüringen and WIBank, among others.
Regulation & ComplianceAs
a Significant Institution, Helaba has been directly regulated by the European Central Bank (ECB) since 2014. In addition, Helaba complies with the regulations of the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). Helaba is a member of the German Deposit Protection Scheme, where customer deposits are protected. In terms of compliance, Helaba has established a complaint handling procedure to ensure that customer complaints are dealt with in a timely and fair manner.
Financial healthAs
of the end of 2024, Helaba had a Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio (CET1) of 13.9% and a total capital adequacy ratio of 17.8%, both above regulatory requirements. The non-performing loan ratio (NPL) was 2.0%, demonstrating the robustness of its loan portfolio. The Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) was 197.2% and the Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) was 121.4%, indicating a good liquidity position.
Deposit & Loan
ProductsHelaba, through its subsidiaries such as Frankfurt Savings Bank and 1822direkt, offers a wide range of deposit products, including demand and term deposits, high-yield savings accounts and large certificates of deposit (CDs). In terms of loans, Helaba offers mortgages, car loans, and personal lines of credit, with specific interest rates and conditions depending on the customer's situation and market conditions. In addition, Helaba offers flexible repayment options to meet the needs of different customers.
List of common feesThrough
its subsidiaries, Helaba offers accounts that may involve account management fees, transfer fees, overdraft fees, and ATM interbank withdrawal fees, among others. The specific fee standard may vary depending on the product and service, and customers are advised to learn more about the relevant fee information before opening an account.
Digital Service
ExperienceHelaba provides modern digital banking services, including online banking and mobile apps, with features such as facial recognition, real-time transfers, bill management, and integration of investment tools. In addition, Helaba is also actively exploring technological innovations, such as AI customer service, robo-advisors, and open banking API support, to improve customer experience.
Customer Service
QualityHelaba offers a variety of customer service channels, including phone support, online chat, and social media, among others. Its complaint handling mechanism is designed to solve customer problems efficiently and professionally and improve customer satisfaction. In addition, Helaba also provides multi-language support, making it convenient for cross-border customers to use its services.
Security measuresIn
terms of the safety of funds, the deposits of Helaba customers are protected by the German Deposit Protection Scheme. In terms of data security, Helaba has established a comprehensive information security management system to ensure the security and privacy of customer data. In the event of a data protection breach, Helaba takes immediate action to minimize the impact and prevent further risks.
Featured Services & DifferentiationHelaba
offers a wide range of financial products and services through its subsidiaries to meet the needs of different customer segments. For example, 1822direkt offers online banking services for young people and digital customers; Savings Bank Frankfurt offers a comprehensive range of banking services to traditional customers. In addition, Helaba is actively involved in green finance to support sustainable development projects.
