Bankcard-Servicenetz
Encyclopedia
The Bankcard-Servicenetz (bank card service network) is a German ATM card
interbank network
group provided by the Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken
services group. Technically it is not an interbank network
but uses the pre-existing girocard
network. Member banks of this cash credit group charge ATM usage fees
at a low level and most customers of the co-operative banks enjoy free withdrawal from their accounts. With 18,600 ATMs the Bankcard-Servicenetz group is the second largest ATM group in Germany (after the savings banks network).
In September 2008 some 98,2 % of the co-operative banks associated in the Federal Association of German 'Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken' Co-operative Banks
participated in the Bankcard-Servicenetz network. The federal association publishes a list of banks that are not offering this service.
Unlike other ATM groups like the Cash Group
and CashPool
, the ATM service network of Bankcard-Servicenetz is not free of charge - the service fee is not waived but the compact restricts the service fee to a common low level (usually 1,02 Euro and in some locations 2,05 Euro). However in most tariffs of checking accounts the service fee is taken over by the bank making the usage of the Bankcard-Servicenetz to be effectively free of charge to the customers. Some banks will show this by presenting a line of "Übernahme Gebühr: 1,02 EUR" ("Takeover (of) Fees: 1,02 EUR") on the statement of account.
Some banks with a very scattered structure of customers choose to not join the ATM group as the share of paying other bank's service fees would be significantly larger than being able to charge service fees within the interbank network. This is often the case with some industry trades co-operatives and most of the ecclesiastical banks.
Some CashPool
member banks have chosen to join also the Bankcard-Servicenetz however they point their customers to use CashPool ATMs for free withdrawal while offering to use the Bankcard-Servicenetz ATMs as a fallback option that allows to withdraw cash money at a low fee that is actually charged to customers. This is the case for BBBank (2 times per month the fee is taken over), Bank für Sozialwirtschaft, PSD-Bank and Sparda-Bank.
. As of 27. Mai 2010 the list did include
ATM card
An ATM card is a card issued by a bank, credit union or building society that can be used at an ATM for deposits, withdrawals, account information, and other types of transactions, often through interbank networks.Some ATM cards can also be used:* at a branch, as identification for in-person...
interbank network
Interbank network
An interbank network, also known as an ATM consortium or ATM network, is a computer network that connects the ATMs of different banks and permits these ATMs to interact with the ATM cards of non-native banks....
group provided by the Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken
Bundesverband der Deutschen Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken
The Bundesverband der Deutschen Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken is the association of co-operative banks in Germany...
services group. Technically it is not an interbank network
Interbank network
An interbank network, also known as an ATM consortium or ATM network, is a computer network that connects the ATMs of different banks and permits these ATMs to interact with the ATM cards of non-native banks....
but uses the pre-existing girocard
Girocard
Girocard is an interbank network and debit card service connecting virtually all German ATMs and banks. It is based on standards and agreements developed by Central Credit Committee....
network. Member banks of this cash credit group charge ATM usage fees
ATM usage fees
ATM usage fees are the fees that many banks and interbank networks charge for the use of their Automated Teller Machines . In some cases, these fees are assessed solely for non-members of the bank; in other cases, they apply to all users...
at a low level and most customers of the co-operative banks enjoy free withdrawal from their accounts. With 18,600 ATMs the Bankcard-Servicenetz group is the second largest ATM group in Germany (after the savings banks network).
In September 2008 some 98,2 % of the co-operative banks associated in the Federal Association of German 'Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken' Co-operative Banks
Bundesverband der Deutschen Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken
The Bundesverband der Deutschen Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken is the association of co-operative banks in Germany...
participated in the Bankcard-Servicenetz network. The federal association publishes a list of banks that are not offering this service.
Unlike other ATM groups like the Cash Group
Cash Group
Cash Group is a cooperation of the four largest German private banks and their subsidiaries, in which they mutually waive ATM usage fees for their customers. It is not an interbank network but uses the pre-existing girocard network...
and CashPool
CashPool
CashPool is a cooperation of a multitude of smaller or virtual German private banks, in which they mutually waive ATM usage fees for their customers. It is not an interbank network but uses the pre-existing German ATM or Maestro/Cirrus networks. With more than 2500 ATMs, the cooperating banks' ATM...
, the ATM service network of Bankcard-Servicenetz is not free of charge - the service fee is not waived but the compact restricts the service fee to a common low level (usually 1,02 Euro and in some locations 2,05 Euro). However in most tariffs of checking accounts the service fee is taken over by the bank making the usage of the Bankcard-Servicenetz to be effectively free of charge to the customers. Some banks will show this by presenting a line of "Übernahme Gebühr: 1,02 EUR" ("Takeover (of) Fees: 1,02 EUR") on the statement of account.
Some banks with a very scattered structure of customers choose to not join the ATM group as the share of paying other bank's service fees would be significantly larger than being able to charge service fees within the interbank network. This is often the case with some industry trades co-operatives and most of the ecclesiastical banks.
Some CashPool
CashPool
CashPool is a cooperation of a multitude of smaller or virtual German private banks, in which they mutually waive ATM usage fees for their customers. It is not an interbank network but uses the pre-existing German ATM or Maestro/Cirrus networks. With more than 2500 ATMs, the cooperating banks' ATM...
member banks have chosen to join also the Bankcard-Servicenetz however they point their customers to use CashPool ATMs for free withdrawal while offering to use the Bankcard-Servicenetz ATMs as a fallback option that allows to withdraw cash money at a low fee that is actually charged to customers. This is the case for BBBank (2 times per month the fee is taken over), Bank für Sozialwirtschaft, PSD-Bank and Sparda-Bank.
Opt-out list
The list of 'Volksbanken und Raifeisenbanken' institutes that do not participate in the Bankcard-Servicenetz is listed on the homepage of the BVR / Bundesverband der Deutschen Volksbanken und RaiffeisenbankenBundesverband der Deutschen Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken
The Bundesverband der Deutschen Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken is the association of co-operative banks in Germany...
. As of 27. Mai 2010 the list did include
- Aachener Bank eG
- Raiffeisenbank Altdorf-Feucht eG
- Raiffeisenbank eG Unterwesterwald
- Raiffeisenbank Groß-Rohrheim eG
- Raiffeisenbank Regensburg-Wenzenbach eG
- Raiffeisenbank Ried eG
- RaiffeisenVolksbank eG Gewerbebank Ansbach
- Rostocker Volks- und Raiffeisenbank eG
- Sylter Bank eG
- Volksbank Bruhrain-Kraich-Hardt eG
- Volksbank eG Konstanz
- Volksbank Greven eG
- Volksbank Hegau eG
- Volksbank Koblenz Mittelrhein eG
- Volksbank Ostholstein Nord eG
- Volksbank Stormarn eG
- Volksbank Überwald - Gorxheimertal eG
- Volksbank Westerkappeln-Wersen eG
- Volksbank Wiesloch eG
- VR Bank in Mittelbaden eG
- Waldecker Bank eG