Successful representative meeting: Volksbank Kassel-Göttingen looks optimistically into the future!

Successful representative meeting: Volksbank Kassel-Göttingen looks optimistically into the future!

The representative meeting of Volksbank Kassel-Göttingen met on June 14, 2025 and sent clear signals of stability and progress. Around 170 members entitled to vote voted unanimously to discharge the management board and the supervisory board. CEO Wolfgang Osse insisted on reporting on a successful year in 2024, despite the challenging economic conditions.

In 2024, Volksbank experienced an impressive 20.3 percent increase in new loan volume, in a year marked by high energy costs, a shortage of skilled workers and strong market uncertainty. The total portfolio of real estate financing stabilized at 1.56 billion euros, and the customer investment volume rose to a record high of 4.80 billion euros, an increase of 228 million euros. These developments were also accompanied by a growing demand for credit solutions, which increased by 20 percent compared to the previous year, as the Volksbank notes in its annual report.

Planned measures and projects

The bank looks positively into the future: continuous development is expected for 2025. Among other things, Volksbank is planning to review its ATM network due to increasing security risks. Last year, an ATM in the Reinhardshagen branch was blown up, causing costs of around 800,000 euros. This branch is scheduled to reopen in summer 2025. Osse made it clear that there are no store closures planned in the near future, but did not touch on specific locations or opening hours.

The bank also has major construction projects in the pipeline: a hotel next to the main office is to be opened in Kassel by documenta 2027. In addition, the Korbach location is being renovated for a mid-single-digit million amount, while an apartment building with 13 residential units is to be built at the former Königsallee location in Göttingen for around 5.5 million euros. These investments in real estate development account for less than five percent of the balance sheet total of 3.55 billion euros.

Sustainable developments and outlook

The Volksbank Kassel-Göttingen is in a healthy condition and is not derailed by economic challenges. The bank's equity exceeded the 400 million euro mark for the first time, which not only exceeds the requirements of banking supervision, but is also an expression of its solid finances. Innovative strategies were developed in the areas of investments and investment advice, which persuaded many customers to invest in deposits with fixed interest rates in order to benefit from the increased interest rates.

A central point in Volksbank's future plans is the integration of intelligent automation and energy sustainability into its services. The conversion of the bank into a new security infrastructure and the development of modern digital processes are also on the agenda. The bank has already set an example here with the new building in Hofgeismar, which leaves the classic branch behind and pursues a communicative, customer-oriented bank design.

Volksbank has made remarkable progress in its social commitment by supporting over 200 initiatives, associations and institutions with around 540,000 euros. These investments are entirely in line with the bank's philosophy and the commitment of all employees was particularly recognized on this occasion.

The representative meeting also decided on a dividend of four percent, which, however, still requires approval. All in all, despite the market challenges, Volksbank Kassel-Göttingen appears to be a very healthy bank with a cautiously optimistic outlook for the coming year.