Helping people to help themselves
For almost 15 years now, the Zweite Sparkasse has been supporting people in financial difficulties. And it does so in a special way: retired employees of Sparkasse OÖ volunteer their time, contributing not only their expertise but also a great deal of empathy. The focus is always on helping people to help themselves.
The bank offers basic financial products such as a credit-based current account and supports its customers with personalised advice as they return to a stable life. On average, people stay for four to five years before they can switch back to a standard banking relationship.
Figures that give cause for hope
The impact of this initiative is also reflected in the figures: since the Linz branch opened in 2011, more than 2,600 people have already been supported. Currently, around 40 volunteers from various regions and specialist fields look after approximately 1,300 customers. And the trend is upwards.
Referrals are made exclusively through organisations such as Schuldnerhilfe, Caritas or Neustart, ensuring that support reaches exactly where it is needed.
A focus on humanity
“We are currently supporting around 1,300 clients,” says Andrea Pfeiffer, Head of Zweite Sparkasse Linz. “We are seeing that more and more people are at risk of poverty, particularly young adults and women. First and foremost, we take an honest look at their income and expenditure with them. And, of course, we set out to identify the reasons why they are no longer making ends meet. These conversations are often very emotional; behind every person lies a story,” she explains.
It is precisely these personal conversations that make all the difference. It’s not just about figures, accounts or budgets. It’s about trust, about prospects and about restoring people’s confidence. Step by step, this creates a path back to financial independence.
We think this combination of professional expertise and human warmth is #absolutelybrilliant.
