Acquisition of financial assets and external financing in Germany in the second quarter of 2026 | Results of the financial accounts by sector
The Deutsche Bundesbank's financial accounts show German households' financial assets reached €9,831 billion at the end of Q2 2026, up €335 billion from the first quarter, as markets recovered from early-year turbulence.
Most of the increase came from €258 billion of valuation gains, €202 billion of it on capital-market investments. Households also added €77 billion in new financial claims, slightly above the five-year average. Investment fund shares were in particular demand (+€33 billion), and even savings deposits grew, reversing a decline that began in mid-2024.
Using its distributional wealth accounts, the Bundesbank says the inflation-adjusted return on financial assets rose across all wealth groups in the quarter, but it remains negative for most households. Non-financial companies' external financing also rose on the quarter.
Key points
- Household financial assets: €9.831 trillion (+€335 billion)
- Valuation gains: €258 billion
- Real return still negative for most households
Summary written by Readthrough from the original article. The full story, with photos and any updates, is at Deutsche Bundesbank (Latest).
