Young people are growing up in a world characterised not only by rapid change and great uncertainty, but also by new opportunities: digital technology is taken for granted, yet there is a desire for personal guidance; global perspectives coexist with a sense of regional connection, and individual freedom is balanced against a strong need for security. Caught in this conflicting situation, young people today are faced with far-reaching financial and career decisions from an early stage in their lives. At the same time, economic uncertainties and technological developments such as AI are noticeably changing the conditions for entering the workforce. This makes reliable partners who provide guidance and open up new prospects all the more important.
The Savings Banks Finance Group fulfils precisely this role for young people: as their first point of contact for financial matters, their first employer and a long-term companion through key stages of life. The many points of contact range from current accounts and digital services to apprenticeships, university studies and international career opportunities. The younger generation has a clear picture of the Savings Banks as employers: above all, they associate them with security, solidarity and good career prospects.
Attracting young talent with a distinctive profile
These strengths form a solid foundation in the competition for young talent. Young people expect a broad range of entry-level and career development opportunities, combining traditional apprenticeship pathways – such as the bank clerk qualification – with academic and practice-integrated formats such as dual study programmes or trainee schemes. This is complemented by a comprehensive in-house training system, which lays the foundation for continuous professional development and long-term career prospects. At the same time, issues important to the younger generation – such as personal growth, modern working conditions and flexibility – are being increasingly integrated.
This approach is proving effective: by 2024, the Savings Banks had already significantly increased the number of new hires, with a total of over 11,000 new staff – a rise of 12.1 percent on the previous year – a trend that was also reflected in the apprenticeship sector.
This trend continued in 2025. Despite a challenging labour market environment, the Savings Banks succeeded in recruiting around 10,800 new staff from the external labour market. In addition, some 3,500 young professionals were taken on from their in-house training programmes, thereby making a significant contribution to securing a skilled workforce from their own ranks.
In total, around 15,030 apprentices were employed by the Savings Banks at the end of 2025 – a further increase of 9.7 percent compared with the previous year.
The trend in applicant numbers sends a very clear signal: applications for apprenticeship places rose by 33.9 percent in 2025, following strong growth recorded the previous year. As a result, the application rate has increased to 12.0 applications for every apprenticeship place and has already reached the target level set for the coming years.
Against this backdrop, the Savings Banks Finance Group continues to invest specifically in young people – both as future talent and as customers – thereby creating opportunities for development, learning and assuming responsibility in a changing world. The following articles show how the Savings Banks reach out to, support and guide the younger generation over the long term – and in doing so, work together with them to make the future possible.
Please watch the video statement by Karolin Schriever, Executive Member of the Board of the DSGV: