Is my money safe with ProCredit Bank?
Your deposits are doubly insured with us. As a German bank, ProCredit Bank is subject to deposit guarantee regulations under German law. This means that your deposits are covered up to an amount of EUR 100,000 per person by the Entschädigungseinrichtung deutscher Banken GmbH (EdB) (German banks’ compensation scheme). Furthermore, we are also a member of the Einlagensicherungsfonds des Bundesverbandes deutscher Banken e. V. (Deposit Protection Fund of the Association of German Banks). Bearer bonds issued by the bank are not protected.
Why is my active agreement to the Terms and Conditions required?
Until now, our Terms and Conditions provided that changes to the Terms and Conditions as well as the Price List did not require active consent. Consent was deemed to have been given if the changes were not objected to within a period of two months. This was regulated in the Terms and Conditions under Item 1, paragraph 2 and Item 12, paragraph 5. According to the new case law of the Federal Court of Justice of Germany (BGH ruling of 27 April 2021), this approach is no longer legally enforceable. Therefore, your consent must now be actively sought, at least for certain changes.
What happens if I do not agree to the current Terms and Conditions?
Your consent is a prerequisite for us to be able to continue our business relationship.
We would like to keep you as a customer, but we can only continue our business relationship with you if we are in agreement regarding the current terms of contract.
FAQs about online banking
How does e-Banking work at ProCredit Bank?
You can access the e-Banking platform from the home page of our website: www.procreditbank.de (upper right corner - Login e-Banking). There you can log in with your e-Banking alias and your PIN (the e-Banking PIN). The first time you log into e-Banking, you will be prompted to change the PIN you received from us to one of your choosing. The e-Banking PIN must be at least eight characters long. Please mix numbers and letters so that at least three of them are numbers or letters (e.g. 4Emu1602). The PIN is case-sensitive, so please use UPPER CASE and lower case letters correctly. Special characters are not permitted.
Please note: If money was transferred to the account before your first login, you will also be asked for a mTAN after entering the initial password.
After you have applied for an account, you will receive from us your IBAN and your e-Banking alias, which you can use as your login name. For security reasons, we will send you your e-Banking PIN a few days later.
How can I change my e-Banking PIN?
You can change your e-Banking PIN at any time by going to “My control panel” under “Settings” in e-Banking.
What do I do if I forget my e-banking credentials?
If you no longer have your e-Banking PIN, we will gladly generate a new one for you. For security reasons, business customers can only request a new PIN in writing. There is no specific form for this transaction. Private customers also have the option of requesting a new e-Banking PIN by calling Customer Service at +49 69 719129-100 using your telephone PIN. We will then send you the PIN by post.
FAQs about our services for Private clients
What are the requirements for opening a call money account?
We offer call money accounts for all persons of legal age (joint accounts are not permitted). To open a call money account, you must have a current account in your own name at another German bank, which can serve as your reference account.
How do I manage my account with ProCredit Bank Germany?
It is easy and convenient to manage your account with ProCredit Bank using our e-Banking system. You also have the option of obtaining information about your account or placing specific orders by telephone. In this case, you will be asked for your telephone PIN, which you will receive together with your e-Banking PIN.
Can I authorise another person to access my account?
Yes, you can authorise another person to access your ProCredit Bank account. However, authorising more than one person to access your account is not possible. To authorise another person to access your account, simply fill in the form “Authorise another person to manage your accounts” , which can be downloaded from our website, sign it and post it to us. The person to be authorised must have their identity verified via the Postident procedure before being granted the authorisation. Please note that the person whom you authorise to access your account may only conduct transactions in writing and not via e-Banking.
How do I change my contact information if I move?
To change your contact information, simply send us either a brief message or the completed and signed form Auftrag zur Änderung der Kontaktdaten (Change your contact details), which can be downloaded from our website.
FAQs about Savings accounts
How can I change my reference account?
To change your reference account, please fill in and sign the form Auftrag zur Änderung des Referenzkontos (Change your reference account), which can be downloaded from our website. Please note that when you change your reference account, the new account must always be a current account issued in your name with a German bank.
Is a joint account acceptable as a reference account?
Yes, a joint account can be given as a reference account.
How frequently and in what form do I receive account statements?
At the end of each calendar year, an annual account statement (which is also an official balance statement) will be sent to your e-Banking mailbox. You can of course monitor your account transactions at any time via e-Banking.
How do I close my call money account?
To close your call money account, all we require is notification in writing (no special form required). You are not required to give prior notice to close your account.
When will the interest on my balance be credited to my call money account?
Accrued interest is credited on 31 December of every year or when the account is closed.
FAQs about Term deposits
Are account statements issued for Term deposit?
You will not receive regular account statements for your term deposit with ProCredit Bank. Instead, at the end of each year of your investment as well as at the end of term, you will receive a cumulative statement of account, which will be sent to your e-Banking mailbox.
Is there a minimum investment amount for Term deposit?
The minimum investment amount for a Term deposit is EUR 5,000.
Where will the interest earned on my Term deposit be credited?
The interest will be credited to your call money account at the end of each year of investment.
FAQs about taxes for Private clients
How does the flat rate withholding tax (Abgeltungsteuer) affect me?
Since the introduction of the flat rate withholding tax (Abgeltungsteuer) in Germany on 1 January 2009, all forms of capital investments are subject to tax at a uniform rate of 25 % plus the solidarity surcharge; church tax is also deducted if applicable. All investment income that exceeds the general saver’s allowance is subject to this 25 % tax. The general saver’s allowance is EUR 1,000 per person or EUR 2,000 for married couples/registered partners. We will automatically calculate the withholding tax and solidarity surcharge and anonymously transfer the appropriate amount to the tax authorities. Flat rate withholding tax will only be deducted from interest income which exceeds the amount of the general saver’s allowance indicated in the exemption order (Freistellungsauftrag) and if no non-assessment certificate (Nichtveranlagungsbescheinigung) has been submitted.
What is an exemption order (Freistellungsauftrag) and how do I issue one?
Your exemption order authorises ProCredit Bank to exempt your investment interest income from automatic deduction of the withholding tax. If an exemption order is not submitted, or if your interest income is higher than the legal maximum allowance, 25 % interest income tax plus 5.5 % solidarity surcharge and, if applicable, church tax will be deducted and transferred by us directly to the tax authorities.
The exemption order is valid upon receipt by ProCredit Bank and can only be cancelled on 31 December of any given year. You can specify that your exemption order shall be valid until further notice or limited to expire on 31 December of any given year. Should you close your account at ProCredit Bank, you are also required to submit a separate instruction to cancel your exemption order. Since 1 January 2011, exemption orders must include your tax ID number (Steueridentifikationsnummer).
In order for us to set up an exemption order for you, you need to complete and sign the “Exemption order” form. The exemption order is valid for all accounts that you hold with ProCredit Bank.
Note: If there is no tax exemption order or a tax exemption order in an insufficient amount when a term deposit matures, the amount of tax already paid can no longer be taken into account retrospectively.
Please note that the exemption order becomes invalid under the following circumstances:
- Separation or divorce: If you have a joint exemption order you are required to set up a new order – even if you have not authorised your partner to access your account – because a separation or divorce renders the original order invalid.
- Change of name / marriage: If you change your name, for example by marriage, you need to set up a new exemption order in your new name.
- Relocation abroad: If you move abroad, your exemption order will become invalid as you will no longer be fully subject to German income tax.
How can I find out how much of my saver’s allowance has been used up?
If you have accumulated interest earnings during a calendar year, you can view the amount credited as well as how much of your saver’s tax allowance has been used up by logging into e-Banking, going into “My control panel” and selecting “Tax information”.
How can I check my current church tax mandate?
To check the details of your church tax mandate with ProCredit Bank, log into e-Banking and select “My control panel” and “Tax information”.
Why church tax is automatically deducted?
Due to an amendment to the taxation law as of 1 January 2015, we now automatically transfer your church tax to the Tax Office (Finanzamt). You no longer need to request that ProCredit Bank to do this for you. Instead, we will enquire about each client’s church tax status once a year at the Federal Central Tax Office (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern). Church tax status includes encrypted information about your membership of a religious denomination and the valid church tax rate. The enquiry will be made annually during the period from 1 September to 31 October. If you wish to object to this procedure, you can do this directly with the Federal Central Tax Office (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern). In this case, as a member of a taxable religious denomination, you are obliged to declare your church tax in your annual tax return.
How can I object to the forwarding of my church tax status?
Would you rather have your church tax deducted by the tax office (Finanzamt) instead of by us? If so, you can contact the Federal Central Tax Office (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern) and object to the passing on of your church tax status by 30 June of any year. Under the heading “Church tax” (Kirchensteuer) you will find a form for this purpose (http://www.bzst.de). When you request that your data not be passed on, the Federal Central Tax Office (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern) informs your responsible tax office (Finanzamt) of our failed attempt to access your information. Your local tax office (Finanzamt) will then request that you submit a church tax declaration. Your request to not pass on your church tax status is valid until it is revoked by you.
What happens if I officially leave the church during the year?
The cut-off date for church tax status is 31 August. If you belong to a church on this day, the church tax will be deducted from your interest in the following calendar year. This is also true if you leave the church between 31 August and the end of the year. The excess church tax deducted will be reimbursed with your income tax return. If you leave the church between the beginning of the year and 31 August, church tax will only be deducted until the end of the calendar year.
How do I obtain a tax certificate?
Your annual tax certificate will automatically be issued and placed in your e-Banking mailbox in January of each year.
When are taxes deducted, and how often?
Tax is always due at the time when interest is paid. If you have not submitted an exemption order (Freistellungsauftrag) to us, the tax is deducted immediately before the interest is credited to your account.
FAQs about our services for Business clients
Is it necessary to inform the bank about every change entered into the Commercial Register?
No, we only need to know about changes which affect your account details, such as a new company address or changes relating to persons authorised to represent the company, etc.
What happens when the non-assessment certificate expires?
After the validity period of the non-assessment certificate has ended, the bank is required to deduct withholding tax from any interest earned and transfer this directly to the tax authorities. The certificate will be retained by the bank unless the client expressly requests that it be returned. The bank will not automatically notify the client that the non-assessment certificate has expired; the company itself is responsible for monitoring the validity of its own certificates.
FAQs about Business accounts with Savings account
Can I use the account as my main bank account?
This is not possible because of the restricted functions. No debit or credit cards are issued in connection with the account and it is not possible to deposit or withdraw cash. We do not issue cheques and do not accept cheques for credit to your account. The account serves as a supplement to your main bank account for payment transactions.
How often will I receive bank statements?
Statements for Business accounts are generally issued once a month. At the end of every quarter, you will regularly receive a statement of account. You can view the statements in your e-Banking mailbox. You can of course monitor your transactions at any time via e-Banking.
How will I receive my account statements?
The statements will be delivered to your e-Banking mailbox, where you can view them, download them, print or save them to your hard drive at any time. If you manage your account exclusively via EBICS, we will send you the account statements by post.
To carry out transfers, you need a transaction authentication number (TAN). You will receive the numbers individually on your mobile phone for each transfer. Each so-called mTAN is only valid for one particular transfer.
What happens if I enter the mTAN incorrectly?
Your mTAN will be blocked for security reasons if you enter it incorrectly three times.
What happens if I do not receive a mTAN incorrectly?
In this case, it is helpful to shut down the mobile phone, restart it and log out of e-banking. Then log back in and enter the payment again. A new mTAN will then be generated.
Is there a limit for e-Banking transfers?
The limit is set to EUR 50,000 by default and can be changed at any time by contacting us.
Can I also manage the account via EBICS?
You can integrate your account into an EBICS based software.
Can different rights be granted to users within e-Banking?
You have the possibility of granting your employees different rights in e-Banking. An employee can either enter payments, release payments, check account balances and turnovers, or be granted full rights.
FAQs about payment transactions for our Business account
What is the fee for a SEPA transfer?
SEPA transfers are free of charge.
What is the fee for transfers within the ProPay group?
The fee for a transfer to an account within the ProPay group is fixed and applies to each individual transfer regardless of the amount. Please refer to our price list and overview of services for the current fees.
Who bears the cost of a transfer to an account belonging to the ProPay group?
The sender bears the costs of the transfer. Therefore, when executing a transfer, your account balance must be sufficient to cover at least the amount of the transfer plus the fee.
What does BEN, OUR and SHA mean in international bank transfers?
For cross-border transfers (in non-EEA countries) in EUR or USD, your payment goes through a network of correspondent banks that ensure that your payment runs smoothly. The individual banks charge fees for processing, which are either debited from the payment amount or invoiced to the payer of the payment. You, as the sender of the transfer, decide on the allocation of these fees.
BEN means that the payee bears all costs. The payee is credited the amount of money transferred minus all fees incurred.
OUR means that you, as the principal of the payment, bear all costs. The amount you enter is paid out in full to the payee. We will charge you our fee and any fees charged by the banks involved in the transaction separately.
SHA means that the fees for the transfer are shared between the principal and the payee. If you choose this option, we will charge you a fixed fee separately (refer to our price list and overview of services). All fees charged by the other banks involved in the transfer will be deducted from the transfer amount. Therefore, the payee receives the amount transferred minus these fees.
In this case, the payment will not be executed and we will inform you via e-mail that your account does not have sufficient funds.
Can I set up a standing order?
You can set up standing orders for SEPA transfers.
Can I change a standing order?
Standing orders cannot be changed. You must delete the existing order and set up a new order with the correct data.
What happens if my account does not have sufficient funds on the payment date of a standing order?
If your account does not have sufficient funds on the payment date, the transaction will not be carried out and must be executed manually by you afterwards.
Other than EUR, in which currencies can I make bank transfers?
Transfers can be made in EUR and USD.
The BIC (SWIFT) must consist of 11 digits. If the payee's BIC consists of fewer digits, please fill in the remaining digits with the letter "X", for example AAAARSBGXXX.
Please note the obligation to report separately in accordance with the Foreign Trade and Payments
Regulation. If you have any questions, please contact the Bundesbank's hotline: 0800 / 1234 111 (free of charge, only available if call is made from a German landline). Further information on reporting in foreign trade is also available on the Bundesbank's website.