DKB is one of Germany's leading digital banks and online brokers, offering access to a broad range of German and international markets through major stock exchanges. Investors benefit from a wide selection of ETFs, mutual funds, shares, bonds and exchange-traded derivatives, together with low-cost ETF Savings Plans, no custody fees and comprehensive German tax reporting. The platform also offers a Junior Depot and VL (Vermögenswirksame Leistungen) accounts for eligible investors. However, it lacks multicurrency accounts, margin trading, forex, exchange-traded options, futures and professional trading tools, making it better suited to long-term investors than active traders.
Passive Investors: Very Suitable. Good choice of ETFs, low-cost ETF Savings Plans, no custody fees and excellent German tax reporting.
Semi-Active Investors: Suitable. Broad product range and access to major German and international exchanges, although one-off trading fees are relatively high.
Active Investors: Somewhat Suitable.Good exchange access and exchange-traded derivatives, but no multicurrency account, margin trading, forex, futures, listed options or professional trading tools.
Pros & Cons And Suitability
▶ Pros & Cons
Low commissions on Savings Plans
Implied State Backing
No custody fees
Full Bank & Tax Integration
Low Cash Interest
Undisclosed FX fees
No Multicurrency accounts
High One Off trading fees
Limited advanced features
▶ Suitability
Passive
Very SuitableGood choice of ETFs, low fees and excellent German tax reporting
😍
Semi-Active
SuitableDecent choice of exchanges and instruments but high one off trading fees and undisclosed FX fees
😊
Active
Somewhat SuitableLimited advanced investing, no margin trading or professional trading tools
🤔
Country Availability
Check if DKB is available in your country. Select a country to see local regulatory details.
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Iceland
Liechtenstein
Norway
United Kingdom
Switzerland
Aland Islands
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Chad
Channel Islands and Jersey
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Cote d'Ivoire
Curacao
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Fiji
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French Southern Territories
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Israel
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Macao
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Macedonia
Northern Mariana Islands
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Republic of the Congo
Reunion
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia
South Korea
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Swaziland
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Republic of Tanzania
United States
United States Minor Outlying Islands
United States Virgin Islands
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Wallis and Futuna Islands
West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Western Sahara
Zambia
Broker Snapshot
Why Is DKB a Fintech Broker?
DKB is classified as a Fintech Broker because it operates as a digital-first investment platform with a strong focus on online banking and self-directed investing. DKB delivers its brokerage services primarily through digital channels rather than a traditional branch network. The platform is designed mainly for German residents and focuses on long-term investing, offering a broad range of shares, ETFs, mutual funds and bonds.
A Leading German Direct Bank Serving More Than 5.8 Million Customers
Founded in 1990, Deutsche Kreditbank (DKB) has grown into one of Germany's largest direct banks, serving approximately 5.8 million customers. The bank is wholly owned by Bayerische Landesbank (BayernLB), one of Germany's largest state-owned banking groups. BayernLB is not publicly listed but reported approximately €1.03 billion in net income for FY2025 and holds an Aa2 long-term deposit rating from Moody's.
DKB does not charge custody fees and offers low-cost ETF Savings Plans. However, standard trading commissions for one-off trades are relatively high compared with some competitors, while international transactions can become more expensive due to additional trading venue fees and undisclosed foreign exchange spreads. DKB also does not offer a multicurrency account.
▶ Features Overview
Base Currencies: EUR
ETF Availability: Very High (2,000+)
Multicurrency: No
Cash Interest: Yes - Low
Margin Loans: No
SMM/Systematic Internaliser Reliance: Low
Exchanges: All Major Exchanges
▶ Fee Structure
Custody Fees: None
Inactivity Fees: None
ETFs Dealing Fees: From €0
FX Fees: Embedded spread
Deposit Fees: None
Withdrawal Fees: None
Security Lending: Not Available
Company ⓘ
We rate DKB's company profile 4.8 out of 5. As one of Germany's largest direct banks and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayerische Landesbank (BayernLB), DKB benefits from the financial strength and stability of a major state-owned banking group. BayernLB reported approximately €1.03 billion in net income for FY2025 and holds strong long-term credit ratings from Moody's (Aa2), Fitch (A+) and S&P (A-). While DKB operates under robust German and European regulation and offers a high level of safety for retail investors, we score it slightly below the very highest-rated brokers because neither DKB nor BayernLB is designated as a Global Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB), unlike some of Europe's largest banking groups.
Business Profile
Founded in 1990, Deutsche Kreditbank (DKB) has established itself as one of Germany's leading digital banks and investment platforms. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayerische Landesbank (BayernLB), DKB offers a broad range of banking services alongside brokerage accounts, shares, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds and savings products. Today, the bank serves approximately 5.8 million customers. DKB generates revenue primarily through banking services, net interest income, lending activities and brokerage commissions. As a wholly owned subsidiary of BayernLB, its financial results are fully consolidated into the parent group and are therefore not reported separately.
Bayerische Landesbank (BayernLB) is one of Germany's largest state-owned banking groups, providing retail, corporate, commercial real estate and public-sector banking services. For FY2025, the group reported approximately €1.03 billion in net income while maintaining an Aa2 long-term deposit rating from Moody's.
Ownership and Transparency
DKB is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayerische Landesbank (BayernLB), which is jointly owned by the Free State of Bavaria and the Bavarian Savings Banks Association (Sparkassenverband Bayern). Although BayernLB is not publicly listed, it maintains strong capital and liquidity ratios and holds an Aa2 long-term deposit rating from Moody's. As one of Germany's significant banking institutions, BayernLB is directly supervised by the European Central Bank (ECB) under the Single Supervisory Mechanism, with additional oversight from BaFin.
Client assets are protected under German and European regulations, with additional safeguards provided by the financial strength of the Bayerische Landesbank (BayernLB) Group. BayernLB holds long-term credit ratings of Aa2 (Moody's), A+ (Fitch) and A- (S&P), reflecting its strong capital position and financial stability. As one of Germany's largest state-owned banking groups, BayernLB is directly supervised by the European Central Bank (ECB) under the Single Supervisory Mechanism. While its public ownership should not be viewed as an implicit government guarantee, BayernLB is subject to enhanced regulatory oversight, stringent capital requirements and comprehensive recovery and resolution planning.
DKB is regulated by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and supervised by the European Central Bank (ECB). Eligible investment claims are protected under the German Investor Compensation Scheme, which covers 90% of an investor's claim up to a maximum of €20,000 per investor. Although this level of protection is standard across most EU brokers, client securities are held separately from DKB's own assets in segregated custody and therefore remain protected in the unlikely event of the broker's insolvency. Cash deposits are protected up to €100,000 per depositor under the German statutory Deposit Guarantee Scheme.
Cash Custody: Deutsche Kreditbank AG (DKB)
Securities Custody: Deutsche Kreditbank AG (DKB). Securities are settled and held through major central securities depositories (CSDs), including Clearstream, with additional international settlement through the Euroclear network where applicable.
Unlike several large European banking groups, DKB has not been involved in any major regulatory enforcement actions or financial scandals that would materially affect its reputation. Although customers have occasionally criticised service quality and digital platform changes, the bank continues to maintain a strong reputation for financial stability and prudent risk management.
Fee Structure ⓘ
We rate DKB's fees 3.8 out of 5. DKB does not charge platform or custody fees, but standard trading commissions for one-off ETF and share purchases are relatively high compared with many competitors. International investing is further affected by undisclosed foreign exchange spreads embedded in the execution exchange rate, reducing fee transparency.
Custody Fees.
None
Trading Fees
ETF Savings Plans (Sparplan)
Execution Fee: €1.50 per scheduled investment.
Promotional ETFs: Over 450 ETFs can be purchased free of charge as part of DKB's promotional ETF Savings Plan programme (execution costs are covered by participating ETF providers).
Execution Venue: Savings Plans are typically executed on Xetra.
Xetra Fee: No additional Xetra trading fee applies to ETF Savings Plans.
Regular ETF Trades (One-Off Orders)
Orders up to €5,000: €10
Orders from €5,000 to €20,000: €15
Orders above €20,000: €30
Xetra Trading Fee: +€2.50 per trade.
Alternative German Venues: No additional €2.50 trading fee when using venues such as Tradegate, gettex, Quotrix or eligible off-exchange partners, although bid-ask spreads may differ.
International Exchanges: €20 per trade, plus any applicable exchange and foreign exchange charges
Xetra is Germany's largest electronic stock exchange and is generally the preferred venue for trading German shares and UCITS ETFs due to its high liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads. DKB charges its standard brokerage commission based on the trade value, plus an additional €2.50 Xetra trading fee for one-off orders. ETF Savings Plans executed on Xetra are not subject to this additional exchange fee.
Trade Value
DKB Commission
Xetra Fee
Total
Up to €5,000
€10.00
€2.50
€12.50
€5,000–€20,000
€15.00
€2.50
€17.50
Above €20,000
€30.00
€2.50
€32.50
DKB provides access to selected Euronext-listed securities through its international trading service. Orders executed on Euronext are charged a flat €20 international brokerage commission. Additional exchange, settlement and foreign exchange costs may apply depending on the market and currency of the security.
Trade Value
DKB Commission
Typical Exchange Fee*
Typical Total*
Up to €5,000
€20.00
€2–5
€22–25
€5,000–€20,000
€20.00
€2–5
€22–25
Above €20,000
€20.00
€2–5
€22–25
The London Stock Exchange provides access to many UK-listed companies and ETFs. DKB charges a €20 international brokerage commission for trades executed on the LSE. Investors should also consider UK taxes (where applicable), exchange charges and currency conversion costs when trading sterling-denominated securities.
Trade Value
DKB Commission
Typical Exchange Fee*
Typical Total*
Up to €5,000
€20.00
€3–7
€23–27
€5,000–€20,000
€20.00
€3–7
€23–27
Above €20,000
€20.00
€3–7
€23–27
Currency Exchange Fees
DKB does not publish a separate foreign exchange commission for securities trades. Currency conversions are performed using DKB's applicable exchange rate, which may include an undisclosed spread. For foreign-currency dividends, coupons, redemptions and corporate actions, DKB applies a 0.25% markup (or markdown) to the exchange rate.
Fee Simulation vs Competitors
Most of our readers invest in globally diversified ETF portfolios over many years through regular investments. Using our Broker Total Cost Calculator, you can estimate the total cost of investing over your chosen investment horizon. In the simulated scenario below, Comdirect is the lowest-cost broker, followed by Consorsbank, while DKB is the most expensive. This is primarily due to DKB's higher trading commissions for regular ETF purchases, particularly for investors making ongoing contributions over long investment horizons.
Fee Simulation
The simulation below assumes that all ETF purchases are executed as regular one-off trades on the selected trading venue (e.g. Xetra) for each broker. For every broker, the applicable standard fee schedule for the selected exchange is applied. Foreign exchange costs, bid-ask spreads, taxes and market impact costs are excluded from the analysis.
Other Fees
Account Opening: Free.
Account Closing: Free.
Deposits: Free.
Withdrawals: Free.
Security Transfers: Incoming and outgoing security transfers are free of charge.
Custody Fees: None.
Inactivity Fee: None.
Platform & Features ⓘ
We rate DKB's platform and product offering 3.8 out of 5. The broker provides access to a broad range of investment products, including shares, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded derivatives and commodity ETCs, together with direct access to major German and international stock exchanges. However, it lacks several advanced features offered by more sophisticated investment platforms, including multicurrency accounts, margin trading, futures and listed options trading.
Account Opening Process
DKB offers a fully digital account opening process designed primarily for residents of Germany. Opening a brokerage account requires a DKB current account (DKB Girokonto), with both accounts typically opened as part of the same application. Applicants must provide a valid identity document (German ID card or passport), a German tax identification number (Steueridentifikationsnummer) and complete identity verification via VideoIdent or PostIdent. The application can usually be completed in around 10–15 minutes, with account approval typically taking 1–3 business days.
UCITS ETFs Availability
DKB offers a broad range of UCITS ETFs from leading providers including iShares, Vanguard, Xtrackers, Amundi, SPDR, VanEck and Invesco. Like most European brokers, DKB complies with the PRIIPs Regulation, meaning retail investors can only purchase investment products that are accompanied by a valid Key Information Document (KID).
DKB offers a broad range of UCITS ETFs from leading providers including iShares, Vanguard, Xtrackers, Amundi, SPDR, VanEck and Invesco. Like most European brokers, DKB complies with the PRIIPs Regulation, meaning retail investors can only purchase investment products that are accompanied by a valid Key Information Document (KID).
Features
Desktop PlatformMobile AppShare TransferCash InterestAutomated InvestingFamily & Friends Sub-accountsMulticurrencyMargin LoansCRESTSecurity Lending – CompensatedRobo AdvisoryElective Professional Investor Status
Wide Investment Selection: More than 2,000 ETFs from leading providers including Amundi, iShares, Vanguard, Xtrackers, SPDR, VanEck and Invesco, alongside shares, bonds, mutual funds and ETCs.
Account Types: Individual and joint brokerage accounts, Junior Custody Accounts (Junior Depot) for children, and brokerage accounts integrated with DKB Girokonto current accounts.
Mobile Apps: Native apps for Android and iOS.
Customer Service: Support is available via secure messaging, telephone and online contact channels. Customer reviews are mixed, with response times and service quality identified as areas for improvement.
User Experience: A modern and intuitive platform with integrated ETF and fund savings plans, watchlists and portfolio monitoring tools.
DKB supports trading in bonds, exchange-traded derivatives (including certificates and warrants), and commodity ETCs.
DKB does not offer securities lendings.
DKB allows investors to execute trades on a wide range of regulated German and international stock exchanges, as well as selected over-the-counter (OTC) trading venues. Unlike brokers that automatically internalise retail order flow or rely on a single market maker, DKB allows investors to choose their preferred execution venue, helping to promote price transparency and best execution.
Cash balances associated with DKB brokerage accounts are held through the linked DKB Girokonto and can be transferred to a DKB Tagesgeld (instant access savings) account for interest. As of July 2026, the standard DKB Tagesgeld rate is 1.00% p.a., with interest credited quarterly. DKB periodically offers promotional rates on new deposits, for example, 2.75% p.a. for four months during its April 2026 campaign, but these are temporary. Brokerage accounts do not include a dedicated high-yield cash sweep facility, so investors must actively manage cash between their current and savings accounts.
Derivatives: warrants, certificates, knock-outs, etc.
Commodities: primarily via ETCs/ETNs rather than direct commodity futures
DKB does not offer access to US domiciled ETFs.
DKB does not offer margin accounts.
DKB offers access to exchange-traded derivatives, including warrants, certificates and knock-out products, as well as commodity ETCs for gaining exposure to precious metals and other commodities.
User Satisfaction ⓘ
DKB enjoys a solid reputation as a trustworthy, established German direct bank, frequently recommended for its regulatory safety and free depot/savings plan offerings. However, users increasingly criticize it for feeling outdated compared to neobrokers, with poor scores reflecting frustrations around its app, customer service, and user experience. Sentiment is notably split between long-term loyalists who value its stability and newer users who find it lacks modern convenience.
Mixed
40+ mentions · over past 12 months
What Users Like
Perceived as a safe, regulated German bank with full deposit protection — frequently cited over neobrokers like Trade Republic or N26
Free depot management and ETF savings plans available from as little as €1, praised in German personal finance communities
Recommended as a reliable choice for long-term ETF investing among German-speaking Reddit and forum communities
Broad product range under one roof: Girokonto, Tagesgeld, and Depot — convenient for consolidating finances
Common Complaints
App and platform described as outdated and not intuitive compared to modern neobrokers — one user called it 'some obsolete bank'
Poor ratings, significantly below direct competitors ING, C24 Bank, and N26
Stock savings plans reportedly limited to DAX-listed companies, restricting flexibility versus competitors
Customer service and onboarding experience criticized, with delays and friction noted by new users
Increasingly seen as lagging behind for active traders or users seeking a modern digital-first experience
⚠️ This sentiment analysis is based on our proprietary algorithm relying on sentiment from public user reviews and discussions. This section does not represent the view of Banker on Wheels.
Country Considerations
DKB supports German tax-advantaged investment accounts, including Junior Depot accounts. It is also preparing to offer the new government-supported Altersvorsorgedepot from 2027, which will replace Riester products for new contracts. Existing Riester contracts remain unaffected
Available Tax Wrappers
Riester/Rürup
Tax Reporting
DKB provides comprehensive German tax reporting, including an annual tax certificate, income statements and loss certificates, while automatically handling German withholding taxes where applicable. International clients benefit from CRS reporting and documentation for non-German tax residents, but the broker does not provide country-specific tax reports tailored to the tax authorities of other supported markets.
Click on a flag below to read more:
Germany Investors
Steuereinfach
DKB supports Freistellungsaufträge, automatically applying your annual German savings allowance (€1,000 per person) before deducting capital gains tax. The broker also provides a comprehensive annual tax certificate (Jahressteuerbescheinigung), income statements and loss certificates, making tax reporting straightforward for German residents.
Related Banker on Wheels Resources
Explore our in-depth articles, guides, and tools related to this review.
Riester/Rürup
