Bundesverband der Deutschen Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken

The National Association of German Cooperative Banks (, BVR) is the umbrella association for the German Cooperative Financial Group. Its origins go back to 1864 as . As of 2015 it had 1,021 members, which represents all the cooperative banks in Germany, including local cooperative banks, PSD banks, Sparda banks, Church banks and Cooperative financial institutions. The BVR represents the interests of the German Cooperative Financial Institutions at both national and international levels and coordinates and develops the joint strategy within the Network. The BVR advises and supports its members on legal, taxation, and business management issues. The Cooperative Financial Group's institutional protection scheme is Germany's oldest deposit guarantee scheme for banks and is run by the BVR. The BVR informs its member banks on economic and political developments and publishes the “Bank-Information” newsletter. European affairs are dealt with by a representation in Brussels. The BVR is member of the European Association of Co-operative Banks (EACB). Structure