die
Volksbank
🏦 What exactly is a Volksbank?
The term Volksbank (feminine noun, article: die) refers to a type of Genossenschaftsbank (cooperative bank). The name translates roughly to "people's bank". These banks are owned by their members (customers), who can purchase cooperative shares (Genossenschaftsanteile) and thus have voting rights. Volksbanken typically operate regionally and are closely linked to local small and medium-sized businesses (Mittelstand) and private customers.
It's a specific term and proper name for this group of banks in Germany and Austria (often associated with Raiffeisenbanken as Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken). ⚠️ The term is specifically used for this type of credit institution and is not a general term for any bank.
📝 Grammar of Volksbank in Detail
The word „Volksbank“ is a feminine noun. It always takes the article die.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Volksbank |
| Genitive | der | Volksbank |
| Dative | der | Volksbank |
| Accusative | die | Volksbank |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Volksbanken |
| Genitive | der | Volksbanken |
| Dative | den | Volksbanken |
| Accusative | die | Volksbanken |
Example Sentences
- Ich habe mein Konto bei der örtlichen Volksbank. (I have my account at the local Volksbank.)
- Die Volksbanken in Deutschland bilden einen großen Verbund. (The Volksbanken in Germany form a large association.)
- Der Berater der Volksbank hat mir gut geholfen. (The advisor from the Volksbank helped me well.)
- Viele Handwerksbetriebe sind Kunden der Volksbank. (Many craft businesses are customers of the Volksbank.)
💬 Everyday Usage
The term „die Volksbank“ is mainly used in the context of banking, financial services, and the German or Austrian economic structure.
- Banking: When talking about one's own account, loans, or investments at such a bank. („Ich gehe kurz zur Volksbank Geld abheben.“ - I'm quickly going to the Volksbank to withdraw money.)
- Financial News: In reports about the financial sector, especially concerning cooperative banks. („Die Volksbanken meldeten gute Geschäftsergebnisse.“ - The Volksbanken reported good business results.)
- Regional Context: Since Volksbanken are often strongly rooted regionally, the name is frequently mentioned in connection with local events or sponsorships. („Die [Name of city/region] Volksbank unterstützt das Stadtfest.“ - The [Name of city/region] Volksbank supports the city festival.)
Compared to the general word „Bank“, „Volksbank“ is more specific, denoting a bank with a cooperative structure. „Sparkasse“ is another major group of public-law credit institutions in Germany, often operating regionally but with a different legal form.
🧠 Mnemonics for Volksbank
Article Mnemonic (die):
Think: The base word is Bank, which is feminine (die Bank). Volksbank keeps this gender. Imagine: Diese Bank (this bank) belongs to die Leute (these people - the members). Feminine article for a community-focused bank.
Meaning Mnemonic:
„Volks-Bank“ = A bank for the folk (Volk means people/folk). It's the folk's bank, owned by its members, close to the community.
↔️ Opposites and Similar Terms
Synonyms:
- Genossenschaftsbank: (Cooperative bank) - The general term for banks with this legal structure.
- Raiffeisenbank: Often used synonymously or as part of the name (Volksbank Raiffeisenbank); also a cooperative bank, historically stronger in rural areas.
- Kreditgenossenschaft: (Credit cooperative) - A more general term.
Antonyms (Other Bank Types):
- Privatbank: (Private bank) - A privately owned bank, often specializing in wealth management.
- Großbank/Geschäftsbank: (Major bank/Commercial bank) - Large, often internationally active joint-stock companies (e.g., Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank).
- Investmentbank: (Investment bank) - Specializes in capital market transactions and corporate finance.
- Sparkasse: (Savings bank) - Public-law credit institution, municipally owned.
Potential Confusion:
Although it sounds similar, the „Deutsche Bundesbank“ is the central bank of Germany and has entirely different functions than a Volksbank.
😄 A Little Bank Joke
DE: Fragt der Bankräuber den Kassierer der Volksbank: „Ist das mein Geld oder Ihres?“ Sagt der Kassierer: „Weder noch! Es gehört unseren Mitgliedern!“
EN: The bank robber asks the Volksbank teller: "Is this my money or yours?" The teller replies: "Neither! It belongs to our members!"
✍️ Poem about the People's Bank
DE:
Die Volksbank, nah bei dir und mir,
Ein Partner vor der eignen Tür.
Genossenschaftlich, das ist der Sinn,
Für Mitglieder ein echter Gewinn.
Kein anonymer Riesenbau,
Man kennt sich hier, das weiß man genau.
EN:
The Volksbank, near to you and me,
A partner at our door, you see.
Cooperative, that's the aim,
For members, it's a winning game.
No anonymous giant hall,
They know you here, standing tall.
❓ Riddle Time
DE:
Ich bin eine Bank, doch nicht aus Stein,
Gehöre vielen, nicht einem allein.
Mein Name sagt, ich dien' dem Land,
Bin oft verbunden Hand in Hand
Mit Raiffeisen, regional bekannt.
Wer bin ich, in Stadt und Land?
EN:
I am a bank, but not of stone,
Owned by many, not one alone.
My name suggests I serve the nation,
Often linked in close relation
With Raiffeisen, known in town and station.
Who am I, across the land?
... Die Volksbank
💡 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word „Volksbank“ is a compound noun, made up of:
- das Volk: (the people/folk) - Refers to the community of members (originally also in the sense of the general population).
- die Bank: (the bank) - Credit institution.
Historical Background:
The idea of Volksbanken dates back to Hermann Schulze-Delitzsch and Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen in the mid-19th century. They founded the first credit cooperatives (Kreditgenossenschaften) to give artisans and farmers access to credit and enable financial self-help.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Volksbank?
The word "Volksbank" is a feminine noun and therefore always uses the article die (die Volksbank, der Volksbank, die Volksbanken).