Whether in Africa, Asia or Latin America: for more than 30 years, the German Sparkassenstiftung for International Cooperation (Savings Banks Foundation - DSIK) has been dedicated to transferring Savings Banks expertise to developing and emerging economies. There, it strengthens financial systems, facilitates financial inclusion and thus contributes to economic development. At the same time, it opens up new prospects through its projects, particularly for younger staff members of the Savings Banks Finance Group, by offering targeted assignments abroad.
The German Sparkassenstiftung is currently running around 50 projects in 51 countries. This offers many opportunities for committed junior managers to gain international experience at the DSIK teams’ global locations as part of assignments abroad lasting several weeks, and to develop their professional and personal skills in a targeted manner. To this end, the DSIK has launched two initiatives.
Staff Development Programme since 2013
The focus is on the staff development programme launched in 2013, which is supported by the Foundation’s ‘Förderkolleg’ (fellowship programme) for academic research. It is aimed at particularly high-performing young managers and specialist staff within the Savings Banks Finance Group who are either currently working at DSIK member institutions or are completing a university degree as participants in the ‘Förderkolleg’.
Applications are made on an individual basis: interested candidates submit their applications directly to the DSIK and undergo a multi-stage selection process. In addition to training in banking, the requirements include a very good command of English, an open-minded attitude towards international engagement and the support of the institution sending the candidate. The selected participants work for four to eight weeks on specific DSIK projects where they can best contribute their expertise. The DSIK covers the organisation and costs. Since the programme began, a total of 164 overseas assignments have been carried out – with growing demand and rising numbers of applicants.
Since 2025, this programme has been complemented by the Personnel Development Programme Plus. It is specifically aimed at the HR departments of DSIK’s member institutions and expands the scope for strategic personnel development. Unlike the traditional programme, applications are not submitted by individuals but by the institutions themselves. These institutions often select suitable staff members through an internal recruitment process and submit the applications to the DSIK. Assignments last between four and six weeks, with costs borne by the respective institution via a transparent flat-rate model. The DSIK is responsible for organisation, professional support and global integration into suitable projects.
Both programmes share a common goal: to open up new perspectives for participants and to contribute the Savings Bank philosophy to global development. Whilst the staff development programme promotes individual talent through a scholarship model, the Programme Plus specifically strengthens staff development within the institutions and, at the same time, enhances their appeal as employers.
Everyone involved benefits
The high demand confirms the effectiveness of this approach: around 70 applications were received for both programmes for the year 2026. In total, around 25 participants can undertake an assignment abroad each year, around a third of whom do so through the Plus programme. They are deployed in selected DSIK projects wherever their expertise is most needed. This creates dual added value for the Savings Banks Finance Group. The international projects benefit from the practical experience of the seconded specialists. At the same time, these specialists return with new perspectives, intercultural skills and a keener understanding of the role of Savings Banks in a globally interconnected world. International development opportunities have thus become an integral part of modern human resources development.
Brief profile German Sparkassenstiftung
The German Sparkassenstiftung for International Cooperation (Savings Banks Foundation - DSIK) is the development policy-focused, non-profit organisation of the Savings Banks Finance Group. It promotes the German Savings Bank philosophy worldwide, drawing on 200 years of experience. Its aim is to strengthen regional economic development and financial infrastructure in developing and emerging economies, as well as to provide people with access to financial services. To this end, the DSIK has implemented around 250 projects in over 100 countries since its foundation in 1992.
Testimonials from graduates of the staff development programme
Whether at a Savings Bank, a leasing company or a service provider within the Savings Banks Finance Group; whether on a dual study programme or already in a permanent professional role; whether in Laos, Malawi, Mexico or Rwanda: Lena Abb, Yasmin Bade, Janine Max, Denise Meyer and Maiko Stelter talk about their assignments abroad – their motivations, impressions and insights …
Four questions for Yasmin Bade and Maiko Stelter
Yasmin Bade spent time in Mexico through the DSIK. She completed her apprenticeship at Kreissparkasse Köln and subsequently studied business administration as part of a dual-study programme at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences. She now works as an internal auditor. Maiko Stelter, on the other hand, went to Rwanda. He trained at Sparkasse Lüneburg and subsequently completed a dual degree in Banking & Sales at the University of Finance and Management in Bonn. Stelter is now head of the corporate finance department at the Savings Bank.
Why did you apply to the DSIK’s staff development programme?
Yasmin Bade: I applied in 2023 because I wanted to contribute my personal and professional experience and knowledge to a DSIK project. I also wanted to step out of my comfort zone by taking on new responsibilities in a place that was likely to be unfamiliar to me, whilst not communicating in my native language.
Maiko Stelter: My motivation for applying in 2024 was based both on personal experiences and on a clear conviction regarding the programme’s content. Back in 2022, as part of my Master’s degree, I had the opportunity to study and live in Toronto for several months. I wanted to build on that experience in a targeted way – particularly with regard to the environment in a developing or emerging country. Based on this, three key motivations were decisive for me: firstly, the opportunity to make a concrete contribution using my knowledge within the context of development work; secondly, the chance to promote our Savings Bank philosophy – and thus our social mission – internationally; and thirdly, the prospect that such a placement would provide the ideal environment for in-depth personal and professional development.
»My time in Mexico was a formative experience for me. I was able to contribute my expertise in an international context whilst gaining new professional and cultural perspectives. In particular, the open dialogue and trust within the team showed me that sustainable transformation is possible through cross-border collaboration. I came away from the programme with valuable insights and a great deal of motivation, and I can recommend it to anyone who wants to play an active role in shaping sustainability and think beyond their own horizons.«
What was the highlight of your time there?
Bade: The local people and culture were the highlight for me. I met so many friendly and helpful people and was made to feel very welcome by the DSIK team in Mexico. Another highlight was my presentation to the staff of a ‘Caja’ – a local savings bank – on the dual vocational training system. It really highlighted just how important the DSIK’s work is and how much I’ve been able to improve my Spanish in such a short space of time.
Stelter: I find it difficult to single out just one highlight. Rather, it was the combination of professional and personal experiences that made my stay in Rwanda so special. In the day-to-day running of the project, I was particularly impressed by the exceptionally high level of interest in the subject matter. The project participants’ thirst for knowledge and high level of self-motivation were remarkable. It was simply a pleasure to drive things forward together. On a personal level, I was profoundly moved by the country’s history, its nature and culture, and the openness of the people living there.
Did the overseas assignment meet your expectations?
Bade: Yes, definitely. I had the opportunity to work in an international team for six weeks and take on new tasks, which I carried out independently. I also got to know a lot of new people and places – experiences I would have missed out on without my time abroad.
Stelter: The assignment abroad not only met my expectations but significantly exceeded them. Both professionally and personally, I was able to gain far more experience and insights during those seven weeks than I had anticipated. I am all the more grateful to Sparkasse Lüneburg for giving me this opportunity.
»My placement in Malawi was incredibly enriching, both professionally and personally. It showed me just how much change is possible through collaboration and what a positive impact the work of the DSIK and its local partners has on the lives of the local people. The approach of ‘rolling up our sleeves and making a positive difference together’ has had a lasting impact on my day-to-day work. It’s precisely for this reason that I can highly recommend the programme.«
What have you taken away from your assignment abroad for your future career in Germany?
Bade: I’ve learnt that you can still achieve your goals with a little more flexibility and composure.
Stelter: Above all, the assignment abroad has shown me how valuable it is to consciously shift perspectives and question familiar ways of thinking. I’m taking this openness with me, quite specifically, for my future career path. At the same time, my ability to develop pragmatic and flexible solutions has improved, as has my capacity to act and remain resilient even under unfamiliar circumstances. I have also gained an even greater awareness of the social mission of the Savings Banks. Seeing the contribution that functioning financial structures can make to economic development has permanently sharpened my perspective in regard to my own role.
»My assignment in Laos was a profoundly enriching experience, both professionally and personally. I was able to put my knowledge to good use whilst gaining new perspectives on international cooperation and sustainable development. I was particularly impressed by the collaboration with local people: the open interaction, the mutual trust and the shared determination to bring about lasting change. The in-depth exchange and shared learning provided me with new perspectives and showed how much can be achieved when different experiences and skills come together. The staff development programme not only opened up new professional horizons for me, but also enriched me personally and has permanently sharpened my awareness of global interconnections and the importance of acting responsibly.«