The Bank Meeting: What Founders Often Underestimate

Nearly 400,000 new business start-ups in Germany are a positive sign, but every single new venture comes with its own challenges. One of the most important milestones is securing financing. Here is what founders need to consider to succeed in a meeting with their bank.

By LOTHAR SCHMITZ, Business Journalist based in Bonn

Germany is seeing an increase in new business start-ups once again. In 2025, the Institute for SME Research (IfM) Bonn recorded around 395,000 self-employed individuals starting businesses as their primary occupation. This marks the second consecutive increase since 2023 and the highest figure in the past eleven years. At that time, the IfM recorded 388,000 new business start-ups, while between 2020 and 2023 the annual figure remained below 340,000. The highest number of new business start-ups per 10,000 inhabitants of working age was recorded in Berlin and Hamburg, followed by Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein.

Two further trends are particularly noteworthy. According to the KfW Start-up Monitor 2025, new business start-ups are becoming more capital intensive. In previous years, the capital required was generally below €5,000, and over the long term, more than two thirds of founders were able to start their businesses with this amount. Since 2022, however, this pattern has changed structurally: In 2024, only 56 per cent of new business start-ups required no more than €5,000, which is likely due to the general increase in prices. Thirty-two per cent of new business start-ups required up to €50,000, while twelve per cent required more than €50,000. At the same time, according to the KfW analysis, the proportion of founders who financed their start-up entirely from their own funds continues to increase, reaching 75 per cent in 2024. Conversely, this means that one in four people planning to start a business requires additional financing.

Demand for Start-up Financing Is Increasing

This is where Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf comes in. As the Düsseldorf region has a strong economy and a vibrant startup ecosystem, the bank has a dedicated department consisting of two specialists who focus exclusively on business start-ups and two specialists who focus specifically on business succession.

“Among all banks in Düsseldorf, we receive the highest number of enquiries from founders,” says Natalie Arheiliger, who advises aspiring entrepreneurs at Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf on a daily basis. “And at the moment, enquiries are increasing noticeably.”

While other partners within Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf's extensive network, such as the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, provide general advice on starting a business, the bank becomes involved when financing is required for a specific start-up project. Anyone seeking funding for a new business and whose project has progressed beyond the initial idea stage has come to the right place at Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf. In most cases, this involves publicly funded loans, for example from KfW or NRW.BANK. Both institutions operate under the house bank principle, meaning that advice and applications are handled through the founder's own bank; funding cannot be applied for directly.

The Qualified Initial Consultation Is Key

Natalie Arheiliger or Ute Bechmann invite the founder to what is known as a qualified initial consultation, which is essential for any potential funding application. The start-up advisers prefer to receive key information in advance so they can prepare accordingly. This includes, in particular:

• Business plan, including financial projections

• Personal documents, including a CV

• A personal statement of assets, together with an overview of personal income and expenditure

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“There needs to be a solid framework in place. We need to gain an understanding of both the planned business and the person behind it,” explains Natalie Arheiliger. During the meeting, the founder presents their plans in detail, while the adviser asks questions. Naturally, the financial figures play an important role: Has the funding requirement been assessed correctly? Is there sufficient equity available—at least 15–20 per cent? Has provision been made for unforeseen circumstances? Is the business model capable of generating sufficient revenue?

Personality Matters Too

But personality also plays an important role.

“Anyone looking to start a business and apply for a publicly funded loan must have an impeccable credit rating, no negative Schufa record, sound commercial knowledge, and be able to demonstrate both their qualifications and relevant industry experience,” says Natalie Arheiliger. The adviser also forms an impression of the founder's entrepreneurial personality.

“After 18 years of advising founders, I can tell very clearly whether someone has what it takes to be an entrepreneur,” says Natalie Arheiliger. Founders must be passionate about their business idea, have a thorough understanding of their field, be highly motivated, have a clear vision, be prepared for long working hours and short holidays, be willing to take risks, and remain focused. All of this feeds into the assessment on which KfW ultimately bases its decision on whether to approve a publicly funded loan.

Nine Tips for a Successful Meeting with Your Bank

The good news is that founders can do a great deal to improve their chances of securing the funding they need. These are Natalie Arheiliger's most important recommendations for a successful meeting with the bank:

1. Get in touch with your bank as early as possible. Have the meeting first, then start your project. Once a business venture has already begun, obtaining funding becomes much more difficult, as it would no longer qualify as start-up financing but instead be treated as subsequent financing.

2. Obtain a Schufa report in good time.

3. Ensure your bank account is managed properly and keep a close eye on your creditworthiness.

4. Take the time to prepare your business plan. This can easily take three or four months.

5. If you are starting a business after a period of unemployment, be sure to apply for an Activation and Placement Voucher (AVGS). This entitles you to free coaching, including professional support in preparing your business plan.

6. The Employment Agency also offers a start-up grant if you are still entitled to at least 150 days of Unemployment Benefit I (ALG I).

7. Do not rely solely on external financing. Depending on the amount of funding required, equity is essential. In any case, it is always advisable to have your own liquidity available.

8. Plan your capital requirements realistically. Things almost always turn out to be more expensive than expected. For example, if business premises need to be fitted out, obtain fixed-price quotations from contractors.

9. Be bold! Don't be afraid that your project might be rejected. Be confident and get in touch. We are passionate about supporting new business start-ups, we enjoy advising founders, and we work together to find the best possible solution.

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