The workshop and annual congress of the Association of German Independent Savings Banks was held from 22 to 25 September 2022 in Linz, Austria. With a total of 92 participants, the president of the association, Dr. Tim Nesemann, was able to welcome a really large delegation to the international exchange in person after a forced interruption of several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 31 institutes attended the workshop, with representatives travelling from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain. The guiding theme of the event this time was “Tradition trifft Innovation” (Tradition Meets Innovation) and was taken up not only in the president’s speech but also in the various keynote speeches of the guest speakers as well as in the warm welcome by the Chair of the Managing Board of the Sparkasse Oberösterreich, Stefanie Christina Huber.

The Sparkasse Oberösterreich proved to be an excellent host and organiser of a thoroughly successful four-day annual congress. Other highlights included a visit to the “Startrampe” for start-ups as well as tours of the “Strada del Startup” tobacco factory and an exhibition in the Sparkasse Oberösterreich’s customer centre led by an art historian. With a good mix of working meetings and a varied supporting programme, the workshop offered a wide range of opportunities for exchange on current topics and issues concerning the Association of German Independent Savings Banks.