DZ BANK works in close partnership with SMEs through the local cooperative banks.

One of the goals of the corporate strategy that defines our activities as the ‘network-oriented central institution’ is the strengthening of our close ties to small and medium-sized enterprises. We plan to bolster the advantage we have gained over many years and to increase the joint credit business we conduct with the local cooperative banks.

Our strategy has been borne out by the encouraging trend in new business with the local cooperative banks: in 2010, the number of applications for new business rose by 17 percent and their volume was 35 percent higher. Renewable energies again proved to be a key driver for lending in 2010 – including development loans, project finance, and classic loans business.