Starting in 2026, savings banks and other regional financial institutions will be required to submit an ESG risk plan for the first time. This requirement is a central component of the new expectations set out in the EBA Guidelines on the management of ESG risks, the Capital Requirements Directive VI (CRD VI), and the planned […]
Industrial transformation in Germany stands at a crossroads. Many long-successful sectors are now under growing pressure to develop new business models and achieve sustainable transformation. To keep Germany’s industrial base competitive, business and government must jointly develop strategic solutions that combine effective regulatory frameworks at federal and state level with dynamic regional ecosystems — in
The current business climate index published by Creditreform shows a mixed picture: Although the sentiment index for German SMEs improved slightly in autumn 2025, the situation remains tense. Many owner-ed Mittelstand companies report declining earnings, stagnant demand, and growing equity weaknesses. According to Creditreform, 17.6% of businesses stated that they had reduced staff – and
The German economy is in recession. And German SMEs are right in the middle of it. In addition to short-term economic causes for the slump, there are also longer-term structural reasons. SMEs are therefore facing growing challenges in the short and medium term that require consistent strategic action. The German Institute for SME Research (Institut
