Volksbank review 2026
How good is Volksbank really?
BaFin-regulated 58/100 points
kosten.org editorial team
Last updated: 2026-03-13
58/100
Points
Based on published terms and features
With around 700 independent institutions, the Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken form Germany's second-largest financial group after the Sparkassen. As cooperative banks, they belong to their members. As terms vary regionally, we rate the typical Volksbank current account on average.
Highlights of our Volksbank review
- Volksbank scores 62/100 points in our rating – a solid cooperative classic.
- 17,000+ cash machines via the BankCard ServiceNetz.
- Cooperative deposit protection: deposits protected without limit.
- Personal advice in thousands of branches across Germany.
Table of contents
1 Account management
11/25
Points
Terms vary greatly depending on the regional Volksbank. Typical: a monthly base fee of €3–10 plus €0.10–0.35 per booking. Some Volksbanken offer youth or starter accounts free of charge. The overdraft rate is typically 10–13% a year. The lack of comparability is the biggest drawback.
Scoring (11/25): The high and regionally varying costs are the main drawback. No genuinely free current account is available.
2 Card offer
8/15
Points
Girocard (VR-BankCard) included. Credit cards (Visa or Mastercard) are optional and mostly chargeable (about €25–40 a year). The girocard offers wide acceptance in German retail. Apple Pay is supported, Google Pay depending on the Volksbank.
Scoring (8/15): A girocard included is standard. Chargeable credit cards and regional differences in mobile payment cost points.
3 Cash withdrawals
15/20
Points
Free withdrawals at more than 17,000 cash machines in the BankCard ServiceNetz (Volksbanken, Raiffeisenbanken, Sparda-Banken, PSD Banken). That is the second-largest cash machine network after the Sparkassen. Cash can be deposited at every Volksbank branch – a decisive feature for retailers and restaurateurs.
Scoring (15/20): Very good cash machine network with cash deposits. Deductions only against the even denser Sparkassen and for limited foreign options.
4 Paying
4/8
Points
Contactless payment with the girocard. Apple Pay is supported, Google Pay depending on the institution. Foreign-currency fees: 1.5–2.0% depending on the Volksbank. As some institutions do not yet offer Google Pay, there are deductions.
Scoring (4/8): Apple Pay is available, but Google Pay is not available everywhere. Foreign-currency fees in the mid-range.
5 Interest & saving
3/7
Points
No interest on balances in the current account. Savings offers (call money, fixed-term deposits) vary regionally and are mostly below average. Cooperative shares can pay a dividend – a unique selling point compared with other banking models.
Scoring (3/7): The cooperative dividend is an interesting feature, but does not make up for the missing interest offers.
6 Banking app & features
5/10
Points
The VR-BankingApp is used by all Volksbanken and has 4.2 stars in the App Store. It offers multibanking, photo transfers and basic financial management. Compared with neobank apps, budgeting tools and sub-accounts are missing, but the basic functions are solid.
Scoring (5/10): Solid app with multibanking. No modern finance features such as budgeting or Spaces.
7 Customer service
6/8
Points
Personal advice in thousands of branches is the core strength of the Volksbanken. Phone support runs through the respective regional bank. Online chat varies depending on the institution. Regional roots, with involvement in local clubs and projects, create trust.
Scoring (6/8): Outstanding branch network with personal advice. Deductions for inconsistent digital service quality.
8 Security & extras
6/7
Points
BaFin-regulated. The cooperative institutional protection scheme (Institutssicherung) protects deposits practically without limit – an unbeatable safety net. As a cooperative, customers can become members and benefit from dividends.
Scoring (6/7): Maximum security through institutional protection and the unique cooperative model.
Pros & cons at a glance
Pros
- 17,000+ cash machines in the BankCard ServiceNetz
- Cooperative institutional protection (unlimited)
- Personal advice in branches
- Dividend for cooperative members
Cons
- No free current account
- Terms vary greatly by region
- Digitally less innovative than neobanks
- Google Pay not available everywhere
Conclusion: Volksbank review
58/100
Satisfactory (3.1)
Volksbank scores 62 out of 100 points and stands for regional advice and maximum security through institutional protection. For customers who value a nearby branch and cash services, a Volksbank is a good choice. Digitally oriented customers will find better terms at neobanks or direct banks.
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