Specialised branch concepts for young people are becoming increasingly important within the Savings Banks Finance Group. They represent new approaches to engaging with customers, which are consistently geared towards the lifestyles of younger generations – with a stronger focus on interaction, support and financial education. The example of ‘barer41’, run by Stadtsparkasse München in the university quarter of Maxvorstadt, illustrates what such an approach might look like in practice and the added value it offers to young customers.
Jonas is surprised. He had actually just wanted to pop in; a friend had told him about a former branch in the university quarter. But what the 22-year-old student sees at Barer Straße 41 bears little resemblance to the image he had previously held of a Savings Bank. There are no counters and no typical branch atmosphere. Instead, there is an open-plan space, a café counter instead of a bank counter, comfortable armchairs, students with laptops and young staff in Savings Bank hoodies rather than suits. The walls and columns are tiled in dark green, with cables and pipes running openly beneath the ceiling. The only familiar feature is the Savings Bank red: ceiling beams, sofas, napkins and even the tiles in the toilets are finished in this striking colour.
»At first I thought I was in the wrong building.«
student and today’s ‘barer41’ customer
“At first I thought I was in the wrong building,” admitted Jonas, who has become a Savings Bank customer following that initial visit. “It felt more like a café than a bank.”
What Jonas experienced was entirely intentional. With “barer41” – the name is simply the address – Stadtsparkasse München is consciously breaking new ground to appeal to young people. The “branch”, which opened in February 2024, is aimed primarily at students, apprentices and those starting their careers. It sees itself less as a traditional bank branch and more as a place for socialising, support and financial education.
A space for exchange and guidance
Its location in Munich’s university district is no coincidence. Here, among lecture halls, libraries and cafés, is where the target group spends their daily lives. ‘barer41’ has been deliberately designed to blend into this environment. Covering around 240 square metres, a complete refurbishment of an old, traditional branch has created a new space that can be used flexibly: for discussions, for focused work or for events with up to 60 people. “We wanted to create a place where young people feel at home and enjoy spending time – completely free from the usual banking barriers,” says Sabine Derheld, Head of Student Advisory Services at Stadtsparkasse München. “Financial matters often come to the fore when something changes in one’s life. It is precisely at these moments that we want to be a point of contact on an equal footing.”
»We wanted to create a place where young people feel at ease and enjoy spending time – completely free from traditional banking barriers.«
Head of Student Advisory Services at Stadtsparkasse München
‘barer41’ sees itself as a ‘space for fresh ideas’. This motto is no coincidence, as it is evident in everyday life: as a special feature, students make use of the two associated project rooms – which can be booked free of charge and are fully equipped – for group work; some drop in to study, whilst others come specifically for advice. Coffee, Wi-Fi and an open atmosphere are, of course, all part of the experience. At the same time, ‘barer41’ remains open to everyone – including older customers, whose enquiries are referred to other departments where necessary.
Long-term support
However, the focus is on personalised support based on mutual respect. The topics covered go far beyond traditional banking matters. Filing tax returns whilst at university, taking the first steps on the stock market or questions about setting up a business are just as much a part of this as basic guidance on financial matters. Jonas is a case in point. For a long time, he simply left his savings sitting in his current account. “I actually wanted to start investing at some point, but I never really got to grips with it,” he explains. During an advisory session at ‘barer41’, it was clearly explained to him how funds and ETFs work and how wealth can be accumulated even from small amounts. Today, he invests 40 euros a month in a fund and ETF savings plan. “I never thought it would be so straightforward. I finally understand how long-term saving really works.” For him, this isn’t just a financial decision, but also a source of security for the future.
“Many young people come to us with similar questions,” notes Sabine Derheld. “It’s rarely just about a single product. It’s about explaining the bigger picture and working together to develop solutions that suit their individual circumstances.” These conversations often mark the beginning of a longer-term partnership.
A place for more than just advice
The fact that this approach resonates is also evident from how the space is used. In the years since it opened, ‘barer41’ has quickly established itself as a meeting place. Events, workshops and presentations are a central part of the concept. Topics such as investment strategies, tax issues and personal development feature on the programme alongside more informal sessions.
The high demand confirms the effectiveness of the approach: the project and learning spaces are almost fully utilised, particularly during exam periods at the end of each semester. For many visitors, the branch is therefore more than just a place for financial matters – it becomes part of their everyday lives. Lena, a 20-year-old student with a part-time job, has also benefitted from this uncomplicated approach. “I just didn’t know where to start,” she says, looking back. Topics such as insurance and retirement planning initially seemed complex and confusing to her. At “barer41”, she worked with an adviser to develop a solution tailored to her situation: a combination of personal liability insurance and an early start on a life savings account via ETFs. “It’s great that everything was explained to me so simply,” she says. “I now feel secure and know that I’m making early provisions for the future.” For Lena, the advice was an important step towards confident financial management.
Brief profile Stadtsparkasse München
Stadtsparkasse München was founded in 1824 and is now one of the city’s leading financial institutions serving private and corporate clients. In the 2025 financial year, it achieved a net profit of EUR 48 million. With total assets of EUR 24 billion, it is the fourth-largest Savings Bank in Germany. Stadtsparkasse München employs 2,376 staff, including 272 apprentices, and operates 41 branches across the city. In 2025, it supported 257 charitable projects with more than three million euros.
Digital solutions seamlessly integrated
Whilst the in-person advice is highly personalised, digital services are also an integral part of the overall experience. For many young customers, the ‘Sparkasse’ app serves as the central hub for managing their finances. Features such as Wero for fast mobile-to-mobile payments and the S-Neo securities account for investors who wish to manage their investments independently round off the range of services on offer. Digital wealth management solutions such as SmartVermögen can also be integrated seamlessly.
‘barer41’ demonstrates how these channels work together: as a combination of personal proximity and digital flexibility. Advisory meetings can take place in person, but can also be conducted via video, chat or telephone if required. ‘barer41’ is therefore not an alternative to the digital world, but a complement to it.
»It’s rarely just about a single product. It’s about explaining the bigger picture and working together to develop solutions that suit each person’s individual circumstances.«
Head of Student Advisory Services at Stadtsparkasse München
New approaches, a clear stance
With concepts such as ‘barer41’, the Savings Banks are responding to the changing expectations of young people. Generations such as Gen Z and Generation Alpha have grown up with digital services, but at the same time are seeking guidance and a personal approach, particularly when it comes to complex financial matters. “Our aim is to support young people from an early stage and give them a sense of security,” explains Sabine Derheld. “To do this, we also need to break new ground – in the way we engage with them, in the formats we use and in the design of our branches.”
Stadtsparkasse München is deliberately gathering experience with ‘barer41’. And it has already become clear that the concept works: as a place where advice is not just provided, but becomes part of everyday life. For Jonas, this has long since become second nature. For him, “barer41” is now more than just a “bank branch”: “I sometimes just pop in,” he explains. “To study or to meet someone. And if I have a question, there’s always someone there to answer it quickly.”
Concept branches: ‘barer41’ and Co.
With the barer41 branch, which opened in 2024, Stadtsparkasse München has deliberately broken new ground. The premises of a converted traditional branch were designed as a meeting place for the younger generation, with the motto ‘Space for fresh ideas’. As such the facility also includes events, workshops and project rooms available to hire free of charge. Other Savings Banks are also pursuing similar approaches with innovative branches of a different kind, for example under the names “maxxs.” in Bad Hersfeld, “Smoney” in Düsseldorf or “Klub zur hohen Kante” in Berlin.