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German bank threatens to close accounts of 1,700 holdout customers

Time is running out for 1,700 Saalesparkasse customers resisting new terms. Without action, their accounts could vanish by summer—here's why the stakes are so high.

, and Administrator

2026 March 23 . 3:14 PM

1 min read

The image shows a woman standing in front of a black background, holding a bowl of food in her... — The image shows a woman standing in front of a black background, holding a bowl of food in her hand. The poster reads "Union-Bank 8 Kriegsanleihe" which translates to "Union Bank" in English. The woman is wearing a white dress and has a determined expression on her face, suggesting that she is ready to take advantage of the bank's services.

German bank threatens to close accounts of 1,700 holdout customers

A 2021 court ruling has forced banks across Germany to seek explicit approval from customers for changes to account terms. Saalesparkasse, one of the affected institutions, has now confirmed that nearly all its clients have accepted the new conditions. But a small group still faces potential service restrictions—or even account closure—if they refuse to comply.

The Federal Court of Justice ruled in 2021 that banks must obtain clear consent from customers before altering fees or account terms. Since then, many institutions, including Saalesparkasse, have contacted clients to secure their agreement.

At Saalesparkasse, 99% of customers have already approved the updated terms. However, around 1,700 holdouts remain. These clients have until April 1, 2026, to respond before losing access to online banking and debit card services. The bank has stressed that approval can still be submitted through multiple channels. But if no action is taken by July 31, 2026, their accounts will be fully closed. The move reflects broader industry adjustments, though exact numbers of affected customers nationwide remain unclear.

The deadline for Saalesparkasse customers to accept the new terms is fast approaching. Those who fail to respond by April will see key services blocked, with full account termination possible by the end of July. The bank continues to urge holdouts to submit their approval before restrictions take effect.