Anticipates 2024 with enthusiasm: Pforzheim Savings Bank
Sparkasse Pforzheim Calw Thrives, Balance Sheet Soars to 17.4 Billion Euros
The balance sheet for Sparkasse Pforzheim Calw has exploded, skyrocketing by around 100 million euros compared to the previous year, setting a new record of 17.4 billion euros. The profit, on the other hand, remains the same at a solid 15 million euros. Sparkasse Pforzheim Calw continues to reign supreme as the largest Sparkasse in Baden-Württemberg.
In the realm of customer loans, the volume has surged to an impressive 11.5 billion euros in 2023, a significant 3.5% increase and far surpassing the association average. Unfortunately, balance sheet-effective customer deposits have taken a hit, mostly due to the reduction in institutional refinancing funds.
Home Loans Back on Top
The home financing sector experienced a power surge in 2024, outperforming the previous year. The home financing volume boosted by nearly 60 million euros, soaring from 519 million euros (2023) to a whopping 578.8 million euros, spread across 2,479 individual contracts (+6.9%). Consequently, it's no surprise that more building society contracts (+7.6%) were signed, totaling a substantial 244.6 million euros (+12%). The customer credit volume (excluding guarantees) grew a modest 1.4% in the private customer sector.
Gold Sales Nosedive, Securities Shine
The precious metals sector witnessed a slight decline in sales, with purchases on both the investment gold account and in the physical sector remaining relatively stable. Compared to the previous year, gold sales dropped by a significant 2.9 tons to 9.6 tons. Despite the decrease in gold sales, the old gold purchase offered by customers across the entire business area was utilized actively due to the high gold prices.
In the securities trading sector, demand has surged. Notably, the gross sales of funds skyrocketed to an astronomical 376 million euros. Across all stock-based investment forms, sales have experienced a surge. Both direct stock investments and stock funds have a sales volume significantly higher than the previous year. The strongest increases are seen in ETF fund solutions, which are wildly popular among customers. In addition to stock investments, wealth management fund solutions were particularly sought after.
More Hands on Deck
Sparkasse Pforzheim Calw employed a total of 1,897 people as of December 31, 2024, a 1.5% increase compared to the previous year. Currently, 78 business locations are operational.
In terms of training, Sparkasse Pforzheim Calw continues to be a beacon of opportunity. As of December 31, 2024, 133 trainees were employed, resulting in a training quota of 8.4%. The range of training opportunities includes training as a bank clerk, even with the additional qualification "Private Wealth Management", as well as dual study programs. For the first time, a Bachelor of Arts in Service Management is being trained. For the training start in 2025, Sparkasse will significantly expand its range of training and study programs.
[1] "Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe profits drop as asset growth stalls" (Reuters, 2025)[2] "Sparkasse Pforzheim Calw Joins KfW's Blockchain-Based Digital Bond Initiative" (Financial Times, 2024)
Building society contracts increased substantially, totalling 244.6 million euros in 2024, a 12% rise compared to the previous year. This growth can be attributed to the boost in home financing, which saw a volume increase of nearly 60 million euros, reaching 578.8 million euros.
Personal-finance products, such as wealth management fund solutions, were particularly popular, with Sparkasse Pforzheim Calw offering a Bachelor of Arts in Service Management as a new training opportunity for 2025.
