References
The gbs provides consulting, design, development, integration, migration, and outsourcing services for business applications and processes. We deliver our projects both from our offices and directly on-site with clients across Germany. Here, you will find a selection of our references and clients.
Deutsche Apotheker- und Ärztebank eG
Headquartered in Düsseldorf, Deutsche Apotheker- und Ärztebank eG (apoBank) is the largest German cooperative primary bank by total assets. In contrast to most cooperative banks in Germany, apoBank is not limited to a specific region. It primarily serves healthcare professionals—including doctors, dentists, psychotherapists, and pharmacists—their families, professional associations, as well as corporate clients in the healthcare sector.
By 2020, gbs had developed and supported 220 applications for apoBank in numerous large and small projects. Since July 2022, gbs has been providing ongoing support for restructuring and process optimization through the core banking system change implemented by apoBank, including IT infrastructure adjustments. Mixed service teams from the bank and gbs are developing solutions for complex specialist banking requirements.
PSD Bank Nürnberg eG
PSD Bank Nürnberg eG is a regionally based direct bank and, together with ten other institutions, belongs to the nationwide PSD banking group. With locations in Nuremberg, Bamberg, Würzburg, Regensburg, Chemnitz, Dresden, and Leipzig, and a total of 287 employees, including 13 trainees (as of the end of 2024), PSD Bank Nürnberg is one of the largest cooperative banks within the group. In terms of total assets, it ranks 61st among Germany's 670 cooperative banks (as of the end of 2024).
As an empathetic cooperative bank, PSD Bank Nürnberg prioritizes reliability and transparency over profit. True to its motto, “More for you,” it puts people at the center of everything it does. This is also reflected in the bank's strong commitment to numerous social and charitable projects in the region. For example, it regularly supports associations and institutions that care for people in need with donations. The cooperative idea of helping people to help themselves is firmly anchored in PSD Bank Nürnberg's values.
Matthias Kraus, PSD Bank Nürnberg eG
"We operated our Pfandbrief application independently for many years. However, during ongoing operations, it became apparent that ensuring long-term success with internal resources alone would require considerable effort. Against this backdrop, we opted for gbs and its gbs-TXS standard product. Since its introduction, we have benefited from a stable and audit-proof environment that meets all regulatory requirements. Regular quality assurance, transparent documentation, and open communication contribute to a trusting working relationship. This noticeably reduces the workload on our internal departments, while we continue to retain control of our Pfandbrief strategy. We particularly appreciate the professional and competent cooperation that goes beyond technical operations and supports us in the further development of our Pfandbrief business."
vdpConsulting AG
Since 2017, vdpConsulting AG has been a joint venture of its main shareholders—the Association of German Pfandbrief Banks (vdp), TXS GmbH—and co-founder and shareholder Wolfgang Crimmann. The consulting firm provides advisory and coaching services throughout the entire real estate financing process, focusing on ‘profit,’ ‘risk,’ and ‘regulation’ to ensure stable and sustainable compliance with supervisory requirements, including the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR), Minimum Requirements for Risk Management (MaRisk), the Pfandbrief Act (PfandBG), and the Mortgage Lending Value Ordinance (BelWertV).
vdpConsulting’s services are directed at credit institutions, Pfandbrief issuers, and banks seeking a Pfandbrief license. Their consulting approach—covering improvements, structuring, and restructuring of organizational frameworks—helps clients navigate the interplay between profit, risk, and regulation, while integrating sustainability (ESG) into the real estate financing process. Further information can be found on the vdpConsulting AG website.
Volksbank Freiburg eG
Founded in 1866 as a commercial bank, Volksbank Freiburg is one of the largest cooperative banks in Baden-Württemberg, with total assets of nearly four billion euros and its headquarters in Freiburg, located in the border triangle of Germany, France, and Switzerland. Across 17 branches in Freiburg, Kaiserstuhl, and the Black Forest, we serve 133,000 customers.
As an attractive employer, Volksbank Freiburg provides jobs for 400 employees. With the completion of our new headquarters at Freiburg’s main train station in 2021, we have made a lasting positive impact on the cityscape. In 2023, we became the first primary cooperative bank to be granted a license to issue Pfandbriefe.
Lars Klauke, Volksbank Freiburg eG
"gbs developed a tailored IT solution that enabled us to become the first cooperative bank in Germany to issue Pfandbriefe independently. From the very beginning, the collaboration was extremely productive and pleasant. We are proud to have worked with a first-class team that has positioned us strongly for future IT operations within the outsourcing framework. In addition, we now benefit from the many other institutions that are also using this standardized solution. The close partnership between gbs and the application provider ensures optimal system performance."
Evangelische Bank
With assets totaling €8.38 billion, Evangelische Bank ranks among Germany’s largest church banks and cooperative institutions. Rooted in Christian values, it serves as a trusted financial partner for clients in the church, diaconal organizations, healthcare, and the social economy.
Its mission: to help build a sustainable and livable society. Leveraging strong industry expertise, Evangelische Bank offers comprehensive financial solutions for the church and social sectors. Core financing activities include healthcare, elderly and disability care, education, affordable housing, and private residential projects. Beyond this, the bank invests in ventures that make a lasting, positive contribution to society.
Brigitte Reinke-Sörensen, Evangelische Bank
"To unlock new refinancing potential, Evangelische Bank operates its Pfandbriefmanagement business with support from gbs. For daily data processing, the established gbs solution is used in application operations. It ensures the supply of bank data from Atruvia’s core banking system to the customized software solution. Based on Atruvia’s technical infrastructure, the gbs solution delivers significant savings in our covered bond operations."
BBBank
BBBank, based in Baden-Württemberg, is a modern retail bank. With around 500,000 members and total assets exceeding €14 billion, it is one of the largest cooperative banks in Germany. BBBank’s business model is low-risk and sustainability-focused. While embracing a forward-looking management structure, the bank also preserves proven traditions. In 2021, it was awarded the 'audit berufundfamilie' certificate by the non-profit Hertie Foundation.
Patrick Ganzbuhl, BBBank
"With the support of gbs, BBBank eG successfully implemented its planned Pfandbriefmanagement system. gbs specialists provided our project team with the necessary expertise and assisted in keeping both schedule and budget on track. This was based on the gbs 'Shared Service' concept for Pfandbriefmanagement."
Sparda-Bank Südwest eG
Sparda-Bank Südwest eG is the third-largest Sparda-Bank in Germany by total assets. It offers a range of products tailored to retail banking. Customer well-being is the bank’s top priority. In addition, Sparda-Bank Südwest promotes cultural projects through the 'Sparda-Bank Südwest Award for Outstanding Achievements in Public Art'.
Nico Zimmer, Sparda-Bank Südwest eG
"During the migration to Atruvia, Sparda-Bank Südwest eG chose to collaborate with gbs on the 'Pfandbrief Capability with TXS Pfandbrief Software' project. This decision has never been regretted—in fact, we felt very well supported throughout the entire project and beyond, even though no on-site meetings were possible due to COVID-19.
From the kick-off to the first issuance, we were consistently accompanied by highly motivated employees with exceptional expertise. The collaboration with gbs was characterized by great trust."
Volksbank Raiffeisenbank Nordoberpfalz eG
With support from gbs, Volksbank Raiffeisenbank Nordoberpfalz eG transfers its Czech banking operations into its German core banking system on a daily basis. This allows the bank to fully leverage the system’s functionalities for valuation, accounting, and regulatory reporting purposes.
Ralf Möstl, Volksbank Raiffeisenbank Nordoberpfalz eG
Background:
Volksbank Raiffeisenbank Nordoberpfalz eG (VRB NOPF) operates, in addition to its German banking business, a branch in the Czech Republic with two locations, using its own core banking system there.
The bank faced the challenge of ensuring daily data integration of Czech business data into the German core banking system, agree21. Under the objectives of standardization and digitalization, the data sources from the Czech systems were aligned with the capabilities of agree21, the core banking system used by German Volks- und Raiffeisenbanken. Although the Czech Republic is part of the EU, it still uses the Czech crown, adding valuation complexity that was incorporated into the solution implemented by gbs. From the perspective of VRB NOPF, the German core banking system now reflects three layers: the German, the Czech, and the joint banking business. Daily data transfers and banking processes must represent these aspects in both core systems.
Additionally, the infrastructural target architecture for data integration on the German side was upgraded for high availability across two sites, with separate development and production environments. gbs provided advisory support throughout this process.
"The multilingual project was characterized by consistent project management. The gbs solution now runs reliably in daily operations within a regulatory environment."
Gewinnsparverein e.V.
For more than 70 years, Gewinnsparverein e.V. has offered customers of cooperative banks the opportunity to win attractive prizes while saving money and supporting their local communities. Today, around 1.3 million participants play our social lottery every month with approximately 11 million tickets. Each month, prizes such as cars and cash, totaling over €6 million, are awarded.
Gerd Kraus, Gewinnsparen e.V.
"As Gewinnsparverein, we modernized our core lottery system with a redesigned version featuring a contemporary layout. All user interface screens were visually updated and made compatible with browsers such as Firefox, Edge, and Chrome. Due to the specific nature of our business and the close integration with the cooperative banks, careful testing—including thorough documentation—was required before implementation to ensure the accuracy of all program calls (business logic) in terms of functionality and results.
gbs supported us throughout this process with their specialist expertise and certified testers, assisting in the creation of test concepts, the setup, and the execution of test scenarios in a highly professional and pleasant manner.
At the end of the project, the application received an official release recommendation, which was required for deployment. This recommendation documented the proper execution of all tests to our Supervisory Board and external IT auditors. The updated software has since received widespread internal approval. We sincerely thank the qualified consultants at gbs and look forward to working with them again on future projects."
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