(Federal Association of German 'Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken' Co-operative Banks) is the association of co-operative banks in Germany.
The Cooperative Association, based in Neu-Isenburg near Frankfurt and in Hannover, provides auditing, consultancy, educational support and advocacy for approximately 2,300 member cooperatives. It serves cooperatives in banking, agriculture, trade and services with more than four million members and providing 88,000 jobs in 13 federal states. Through its services it gives impetus to necessary changes. All this is done through democratic structures and the participation of members in its committees. The basis of this democratic orientation is its constitution, which complements the statutory provisions and determines the structure, competencies and goals of the association.
