If it were up to the Federal Court of Justice, the Kreissparkasse Garmisch-Partenkirchen alone would have had to send a total of over 905,000 sheets of paper to its customers.
The financial institution successfully defended itself against this flood of paper.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- It is a small campaign against the German bureaucracy that the Kreissparkasse has instigated.
Because those responsible did not want to participate in an environmental crime: the financial institution would have had to send around 170 pages with new terms and conditions to each customer this year.
Lots of wood - in the truest sense of the word.
Because the bankers calculated that there would have been around 100 trees that would have fallen victim to this action.
With 23,940 customers of the Sparkasse.
But: the instruction comes from the very top.
The Federal Court of Justice ruled that way in April.
But those in charge found a loophole to escape the flood of paper.
The chairman of the board cannot understand the decision of the Karlsruhe judges
Peter Lingg was immediately a thorn in the side of the BGH's plans. Ironically today, when environmental protection is a top priority in all matters, the chairman of the board cannot understand the decision of the Karlsruhe judges. They had given a far-reaching verdict on Postbank's general terms and conditions. One that affects all companies with subscription contracts. So far, changes to the contract were valid if consumers did not object within two months. With immediate effect, the customer must actively and expressly agree to a formal change or a list of prices or services.
At the Kreissparkasse it had been common for decades to communicate new guidelines in mini format on the bank statement - that is, without additional paper.
The amendment would have meant: Every customer has to get the 170 pages delivered - read, sign and send it back.
It would only be 905,000 sheets of paper for the Kreissparkasse Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
"All banks have to do that," notes Anneliese Albrecht, the head of the private customer department.
Customers only receive four instead of 170 pages
At Bahnhofstrasse, thought was given to a way out. The solution looks like this: On Monday, November 8th, all 23,940 customers received mail. But there were only four pages in the envelope. On these, the financial institution declares that the contract can be viewed on the network. The approximately 13,000 online customers receive the letter in their electronic mailbox. The remaining 11,000 will find a QR code on the cover letter that leads to the corresponding website. Then they just have to accept, either in online banking, in the app or on the website. And for those who do not have Internet access or who do not want it, there is the possibility of dropping in at the branch in person. "There you can see the 170 pages," explains Albrecht. The documents must be approved by March 2022.
Nevertheless, everyone received the four pages of mail.
For safety reasons.
Since the Federal Court of Justice ruling, con artists have been trying their luck with fake e-mails in order to elicit access data from unsuspecting customers.
"You will never receive an email from us asking you to click on any link, fill out anything in the email or disclose sensitive data," assures Albrecht.
The same goes for phone calls.
In case of doubt, the Sparkasse advisors are available to answer any questions.
In order to avoid even more effort for users, the Kreissparkasse is also sharing the information on the new account models with the change to the terms and conditions, which will result from the sealed merger with Sparkasse Weilheim-Oberland in June 2022.
Progress in the merger: positions and tasks allocated
The savings bank merger is progressing. at. What is already in the merger agreement: The branches in Mittenwald, Oberammergau and Murnau will remain fixed. The building on Garmisch-Partenkirchner Bahnhofstrasse becomes the headquarters. It is also clear how the management positions will be distributed: Thomas Orbig from Weilheim will be the chairman of the board, Peter Lingg from Garmisch-Partenkirchen will be his deputy. The three other members of the Executive Board are Markus Lanz, Michael Lautenbacher (both Weilheim) and Michael Müller (GAP). In the future, you will train around 715 employees and 55 trainees who look after a total of 138,892 customers. "The focus is clearly on the market presence," emphasizes Lingg. The department structures and their managers have also been clarified. "The hours of conversation went very smoothly." Now the hot phase is slowly beginning:Because operational work is now starting for the merger project. "The implementation is going according to plan and on target."
