Raiffeisen-Volksbank Haßberge plans merger with VR Bank Bamberg

Raiffeisen-Volksbank Haßberge (approx. €700 m in total assets) is planning to combine with VR Bank Bamberg-Forchheim (€3.7 bn). Reason: Strong ties of the Haßberge region with Bamberg, economic synergies. Both supervisory bodies signalled a green light. Final vote of the member representatives at the delegates' meeting planned for May 2026. Legal and technical merger scheduled for Q4 2026. No layoffs planned – 'on the contrary'. Resulting bank: Over 40 branches, 30 self-service locations, over 150,000 customers. One of the largest area-wide banks in Franconia along the A70 and A73 from Haßfurt via Bamberg and Forchheim to Nuremberg/Erlangen. On-site lending up to €750,000 in private real estate financing. Higher lending capacity for corporate customers. Update (9 Oct 2026): The representative assemblies of both banks approved the merger unanimously on 19 and 20 May 2026; the new bank is due to be formed by the end of 2026 (Raiffeisen-Volksbank Haßberge, website, 9 Oct 2026).