Association of Foreign Banks in Germany

The Association of Foreign Banks in Germany (German: Verband Internationaler Banken in Deutschland e. V., abbreviated VIB; until September 2025 known as Verband der Auslandsbanken in Deutschland e. V.) is a German trade association that represents the interests of international banks, securities institutions and other financial companies active in Germany. Its members are typically the German subsidiaries of foreign institutions, the legally dependent branches of foreign companies, or the representative offices of foreign firms. The association is organised as a registered association (eingetragener Verein) with its seat in Frankfurt am Main, Germany's principal financial centre. The association was founded on 31 March 1982 under the name Vereinigung der Auslandsbanken in Deutschland e.V. Its founding institutions were Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas, Chemical Bank AG, Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago, Crédit Lyonnais, Lloyds Bank International Ltd., State Bank of India and The First National Bank of Chicago. In 1986 the association changed its name to Verband der Auslandsbanken in Deutschland e.V., and in 2025 it adopted its current name, Verband Internationaler Banken in Deutschland e. V. As an industry body, the association engages in advocacy and representation vis-à-vis German and European policymakers and regulators. It is listed in the European Commission's Transparency Register and in the Lobby Register for interest representation before the German Bundestag and the Federal Government. Its work focuses on the regulatory and business environment for internationally owned banks and financial firms operating in Germany.

The Association of Foreign Banks in Germany was founded on 31 March 1982 under the name Vereinigung der Auslandsbanken in Deutschland e.V. Its founding institutions were Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas, Chemical Bank AG, Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago, Crédit Lyonnais, Lloyds Bank International Ltd., State Bank of India and The First National Bank of Chicago. These founding members reflect the international character of the association from its inception, bringing together institutions from France, the United States, the United Kingdom and India, among others. In 1986 the association changed its name to Verband der Auslandsbanken in Deutschland e.V. This name remained in use for nearly four decades. In 2025 the association adopted the name Verband Internationaler Banken in Deutschland e. V., reflecting a shift in emphasis from "foreign banks" to "international banks" in Germany. The association is organised as a registered association (eingetragener Verein) with its seat in Frankfurt am Main. Its membership consists of international banks, securities institutions and other financial companies operating in Germany. Members may be domestic subsidiaries of foreign companies, legally dependent branches of foreign companies, or representative offices of foreign companies. As an interest representation body, the association advocates on behalf of its members before German and European institutions. It maintains entries in the European Commission's Transparency Register and in the Lobby Register for interest representation before the German Bundestag and the Federal Government.

• 2025

  Renamed Verband Internationaler Banken in Deutschland e. V.

• 1986

  Renamed Verband der Auslandsbanken in Deutschland e.V.

• 1982

  Founded on 31 March 1982 as Vereinigung der Auslandsbanken in Deutschland e.V. by seven founding institutions.

Industry association and advocacy body for internationally owned banks and financial institutions operating in Germany.

1. 1Verband Internationaler Banken in Deutschland – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
2. 2Association of Foreign Banks in Germany – Wikidatawikidata.org