E-Brokerage Market in Germany - Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)

The volatility on the financial markets caused by the Corona crisis boosted investor activity and resulted in new highs. The number of investors, as well as the number of transactions, increased dramatically. The most recent developments highlight the importance of stock trading as a lucrative, commission-based revenue stream for German banks.

Germany has one of the largest economies in the Eurozone, and it is the driving force behind many financial market activities in Europe. The German financial market is regulated by BaFin. For a mix of reasons, Germany is a model market for online brokerage. Germany online brokerage industry exhibits oligopoly like characteristics. A few large companies account for the vast majority of market share, with new competitors finding it difficult to gain market share. German online brokers are the most advanced in terms of European expansion and product diversification.

At the end of 2010, the number of securities accounts has been declining, but due to the prolonged low-interest-rate setting, this trend has reversed in recent years.

Key Market Trends

Number of Internet Users Compared to General Population Size in Germany in 2020

In the past decade, the country's smartphone users have contributed to a rise in Internet users. The E-Brokerage is capitalising on the country's growing internet penetration. In Germany, ¾th of the population owns a smartphone, putting them eighth in terms of smartphone penetration. Half of Germans use smartphones daily. Between 2019 and 2020, the number of internet users in Germany increased by 307 thousand (+0.4%). Eighty-four per cent of the internet users' access through smartphones. The ever-expanding online transaction channel is especially intriguing because of its rapid expansion. Most of the customers get information on choosing the online broker through the internet or apps. The presence of social media for online brokers will be an added advantage. The online brokers have started offers in the online and mobile areas with greater convenience and with low prices. Especially in the phase of uncertainty, online brokers are experiencing more transactions and customer activity.

Change in Customer Behavior Towards Online Brokerage Services in Germany

Consumer attitude towards online trading and the importance of adapting technology for online transactions and security are few factors driving this market. At the end of 2010, the number of securities accounts has been declining, but due to the prolonged low-interest-rate setting, this trend has reversed in recent years. The number of online transactions often depends heavily on the underlying volatility in the market. There are many reasons to believe that customers get attracted to, despite the uncertainty and low-interest-rate setting, which will last longer due to the Covid 19 crisis. Several low-cost deals have recently begun. Lower order commissions would encourage customers to consider new low-price / flat-fee providers. The most critical reasons for German customers to choose an online broker are trading fees, reputation, quality of analysis tools, easy deposit opening, range of availability of products, access to various stock exchanges, and quality of the mobile app.

Competitive Landscape

A few large companies account for most of the market share in Germany. Online Brokers in Germany try to compete in terms of account maintenance fee, the fee per trade order, a deposit fee as a percentage of funds, technological advancements, and creating easy to use trading platform for customers. Few companies are best for new traders, few others are good for Forex trading. Some of the key players are Interactive Brokers, TradeStation, eToro, Comdirect Bank, Inernaxx, Flatex, Trade Republic, Onvista, Lynk, Consors Bank, Sino AG.

Some other players include Geno Broker, S Broker, Maxblue, Targobank, ING Diba, DKB.

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support