Zweite Sparkasse
The bank for the unbankable
Zweite Sparkasse (Second Savings Bank) was ERSTE Foundation’s first project aimed at promoting social and financial inclusion and, in Austria, is its best-known project to date. Its main objective is to enable customers to regain a sound financial footing in the long term.
Since it was founded in 2006, Zweite Sparkasse has helped some 15,000 people in Austria overcome their financial difficulties. Customers of Zweite Sparkasse receive a basic current account including bank card and access to Erste Bank’s online banking service George. The bank teamed up with Wiener Städtische Insurance Group, enabling it also to offer accident insurance free of charge and a legal advice service, available once per quarter. Customers may also take out an investment account, a building loan contract (Bausparvertrag) free of charge and homeowner’s insurance at an affordable premium. Zweite Sparkasse and Schuldnerberatung (debt counselling services) offer an assisted account to people who are legally competent but have difficulty managing their money.
Zweite Sparkasse does not aim to make a profit but is bound to the savings bank idea of serving the public good. It is exclusively run by volunteers. Customers are supported by partner organisations that recommend them to the bank.
Branch offices
Graz
Annenstraße 40, 8020 Graz
Innsbruck
Kirschentalgasse 10a, 6020 Innsbruck
Klagenfurt
Fischlstraße 67, 9020 Klagenfurt
Linz
Franckstraße 41, 4020 Linz
Salzburg
Rainerstraße 4, 5020 Salzburg
Villach
Moritschstraße 11, 9500 Villach
Vienna
Am Schweizergarten, 1030 Vienna
More information you will find at www.diezweitesparkasse.at
Established and opened: 2006
Founding capital by ERSTE Foundation: EUR 5.8 million
Branch offices in Austria: 7
Customers since 2006: approx. 18,000
Successfully switched to another bank: more than 4,000
Voluntary staff members: more than 300
Partner organisations:
Debt counselling services, Caritas, AhZ – Arbeit hat Zukunft, aktion leben österreich, “Anonyme Spieler” support group, Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Wien, ARGE SOZIAL VILLACH, dialog, Wiener Hilfswerk, Interventionsstelle gegen Gewalt in der Familie Wien, itworks Personalservice, Lighthouse Wien, City of Vienna MA 40, neunerHAUS, NEUSTART, Austrian Red Cross, PIVA – Projektgruppe Integration von AusländerInnen, Schuldner-Hilfe OÖ, municipal administration of the city of Graz – social services department, SOS Children’s Villages, Soziale Arbeit gGmgH, Spielsuchthilfe, addiction counselling service of the city of Klagenfurt, Tabea Lebenshilfe, TRENDwerk, VinziDach, Volkshilfe Wien, Volkshilfe Beschäftigung, Wiener Berufs-Börse, Jugend am Werk, BIKU-Treff
