Frankfurt financial center strategy
The Frankfurt financial center strategy is a joint program for improving the city's business environment and financing capacity. The Hesse Financial Center Cabinet adopted the strategy and a charter of cooperation. The Frankfurt financial center strategy's six action areas cover local conditions, regulation, technology, sustainable finance, education and international promotion.
More private capital for investment
The strategy aims to make the Frankfurt financial center better able to finance businesses and infrastructure. A broader European capital market and greater use of equity are part of that ambition. Deutsche Börse supports mobilizing private capital for retirement provision and business investment through its market infrastructure.
Some measures can be organized locally. Changes to pension systems or EU financial supervision need decisions beyond Frankfurt. The strategy is therefore a work program with proposals at different levels, not a guarantee that every project has been funded or completed.
Business environment
The first action area concerns conditions for institutions and international professionals. The planned measures include simpler administrative procedures and better support for international business relocations. FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH is to be strengthened as an initial contact for incoming companies. English-language public communication and welcome initiatives are also part of the program. These measures concern the wider region, not just the towers in the financial district.
Risk and regulation
The second area combines financial stability with workable rules. Frankfurt's participants want to coordinate positions on regulation and expand research and professional training. FIRM is named as a contributor to practical regulatory research. Securitization and the EU Savings and Investments Union are among the proposed routes to making more capital available. These are policy priorities, not new regulatory exemptions for institutions based in Frankfurt.
Technology and startup finance
The strategy's technology agenda covers AI, blockchain and quantum computing. Proposed projects include a Tech & Data Lab with sandbox environments and support for quantum infrastructure. The ambition to host an EU AI gigafactory is a proposal. Around AMLA, the program seeks an AI network for anti-money-laundering work and names safeAML as an initial project. AI Hub Frankfurt is a partner in the technology agenda; fintech in Frankfurt is part of its practical setting.
Sustainable finance and investment
Frankfurt sustainable finance is another action area. The program seeks to expand cooperation around the Sustainable Finance Cluster and proposes a specialist center for biodiversity finance. The strategy also aims to connect sustainable business projects with investors and customers. The planned expansion of biodiversity finance should not be confused with an already operating institution or an available funding entitlement.
Financial education and research
The education agenda includes finance training for policymakers and public-sector staff. A school pilot using an app is planned to improve financial literacy in Hesse. New master's-level finance programs and closer research cooperation are also proposed. Goethe University and the Hessian education ministry are involved in developing the school app (in German). A cross-university Frankfurt Finance Institute program is an option under consideration, not an institution established by the strategy.
International promotion
The sixth area is marketing and communication. The financial hub Frankfurt is to use coordinated messages and shared location data under the Frankfurt Main Finance brand. International events are part of this effort. The charter of cooperation sets out how participants can contribute and how Frankfurt Main Finance can coordinate work while organizations remain independent.
Progress and responsibilities
Frankfurt Main Finance and the Hessian economics ministry have published a Financial Center Report covering the same six action areas. The Financial Center Report is a basis for reviewing progress and preparing issues for the cabinet. The Financial Center Report's recommendations include a more integrated EU market and capital-market-based retirement provision. A recommendation in the report remains a recommendation until the responsible bodies adopt and implement it.
Financial center strategy and Finance Loop
Finance Loop is a member of Frankfurt Main Finance, its strategic partner. Finance Loop's Sibos side event with Frankfurt Main Finance brought finance professionals together around emerging technologies. Finance Loop connects people working on these topics through events and professional learning.
Finance Loop is a professional network with the goal of driving the adoption of emerging technologies in finance. Finance Loop helps members build skills and personal networks in investment and digital assets, payments, digital infrastructure, and risk and compliance.