{"id":92683,"date":"2026-03-31T08:58:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T08:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybusinessfuture.com\/new-internet-banking-record-branch-closures\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T22:08:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T22:08:03","slug":"new-internet-banking-record-branch-closures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybusinessfuture.com\/en\/new-internet-banking-record-branch-closures\/","title":{"rendered":"New Online Banking Record \u2013 Branch Closures Continue"},"content":{"rendered":"

3 min read<\/p>\n

For Germans aged 70 and over, online banking is almost second nature. Across all age groups, 86 percent now use it\u2014a new record. According to Bitkom, branches and human advice are becoming less important to the public.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Whether out of necessity\u2014because more bank branches are closing\u2014or out of conviction is the big question. The Bitkom digital association<\/a> sees it as a positive sign that, according to its commissioned survey, seniors in Germany are increasingly embracing online banking.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Overall, 86 percent of Germans now use online banking, a new high. Among younger users aged 16\u201329 and 30\u201349, the figure is even higher at 95 percent. For the 50\u201364 and 65\u201374 brackets, 92 and 83 percent respectively still use it\u2014impressively high numbers. Only among over-75s is it still below half, though at 43 percent it has jumped from 26 percent in a 2024 survey. These are the findings of a Bitkom poll of 1,003 people aged 16 and over across Germany.<\/p>\n

Many ready to switch<\/h2>\n

According to the study, the trend is set to continue: nearly a quarter (24 percent) of over-65s plan to start using online banking within the next 12 months, and another 9 percent can at least imagine doing so. For Bitkom President Dr. Ralf Wintergerst, this is a clear message: \u201cOnline banking is no longer a question of age. For most people, digital account access is more natural than a trip to the branch.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

More and more Germans are turning their backs on branches. Forty-four percent of online-banking users never visit a branch at all, 41 percent do so only occasionally, and just 14 percent still prefer the branch and only occasionally bank online.<\/p>\n

Digital services need to improve<\/h2>\n

When it comes to digital services, most customers want banks to do better. The latest score of 3.1\u2014down from 2.9 in the last survey\u2014shows it. Rohleder admits banks are improving, but \u201cthey\u2019re struggling to keep pace with rising customer expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Younger Germans in particular value digital offerings over branches and in-person advice. Eighty-five percent of 16\u201329-year-olds say a user-friendly banking app is important, compared with 78 percent overall. Seventy-three percent want a wider range of online-banking features, and 62 percent care about mobile-payment options.<\/p>\n

\n
KEY FIGURES<\/div>\n
\n
86 percent<\/div>\n
a new record. Branches and human advice are becoming<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
95 percent<\/div>\n
higher than among older users. Among 50\u201364 and<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
83 percent<\/div>\n
still impressively high. Among over-75s, it\u2019s below half.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Rising Trust in AI<\/h2>\n

More than a quarter of respondents (28 percent) would now trust an AI with their financial planning\u2014a significant jump from 20 percent in 2024. Even 30 percent (compared to 26 percent last year) believe AI could outperform bank employees when recommending financial products.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bitkom President Rohleder comments: \u201cWhile a majority remain skeptical, the growing interest among Germans in AI applications\u2014especially in finance\u2014is clear. For banks and financial service providers, the technology offers enormous potential not only for internal processes but also for highly personalized customer solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
\nHow many Germans use online banking?<\/strong><\/summary>\n

86 percent of Germans now use online banking, a new record. This is according to a survey of 1,003 people aged 16 and older.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\nHow many over-75s use online banking?<\/strong><\/summary>\n

43 percent of over-75s now use online banking, up from 26 percent in 2024\u2014a clear increase.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\nHow many online banking users still visit bank branches?<\/strong><\/summary>\n

44 percent never visit branches, 41 percent do so occasionally, and only 14 percent still prefer in-branch service.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\nHow important is a banking app to users?<\/strong><\/summary>\n

78 percent say a user-friendly banking app is important, rising to 85 percent among 16- to 29-year-olds.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\nWhat do people think about using AI for financial planning?<\/strong><\/summary>\n

28 percent would already trust an AI with their financial planning (up from 20 percent in 2024), and 30 percent believe AI outperforms bank staff when recommending financial products.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

Editor\u2019s Reading Picks<\/h2>\n