The financial assets of Germans grew by 192 billion euros compared to the last quarter of 2020. Real estate ownership is not even included.
Frankfurt / Main - The financial assets of the Germans are racing from record to record and have exceeded the seven trillion euro mark for the first time.
According to the Bundesbank, private households owned around 7143 billion euros at the end of the first quarter.
The total has increased by 192 billion euros since the end of 2020, as announced by the Bundesbank.
The central bank takes into account cash, securities, bank deposits and claims against insurance companies, but not real estate.
In particular, price gains on the stock exchanges had a positive impact.
The data do not reveal exactly how wealth is distributed.
Cash and sight deposits on current and overnight accounts, for example, continue to make up the largest item with a good 2858 billion euros.
Investors there earn nothing because of the slack interest rates, but they can access their money quickly if necessary.
The inflows in this area were, however, comparatively moderate at 47 billion euros in the first quarter.
Bundesbank: record on the capital market
Meanwhile, speak "the increasing involvement in the capital market for an increased awareness of returns," said the Bundesbank.
“Private households bought shares in investment funds for 25 billion euros - more than ever before.
In addition, they acquired shares and other equity securities worth 3 billion euros on balance. "
Many investors benefited from the steep recovery in prices after the Corona crash in February and March of last year.
Overall, however, stocks and funds still make up only a fraction of the total financial assets of private households: at the end of March, according to the Bundesbank figures, a good 866 billion euros was in stocks and other equity securities and just under 791 billion euros in investment funds.
People invest large sums in insurance and other retirement products.
Here inventories increased by a comparatively strong 27 billion euros to around 2,485 billion euros.
Save like the world champions - already 2022 financial assets of 8 trillion euros
One reason for the overall increase in wealth: In the past year, people in Germany saved like the world champions - largely because trips were canceled and shops and restaurants were only allowed to offer services to a limited extent over long distances.
The savings rate soared to a record high of 16.2 percent in 2020.
That means: for every 100 euros of disposable income, households put an average of 16 euros on the high edge.
Economists assume that after the emergency stop in the pandemic, people will increasingly catch up on consumption thanks to vaccinations and relaxation measures. Nevertheless, financial assets should continue to grow - thanks to increases in the value of stocks, funds and certificates. DZ Bank is forecasting financial assets of EUR 7.6 trillion for the current year, and by 2022 the financial assets could then reach the EUR 8 trillion mark.
(dpa)
