July 2, 2025, 3:17 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
By the end of 2023, a partnership between the Sparkassen and Payback was already being discussed. Now, it has been implemented and is available for customers to use. TECHBOOK explains what this means in detail.
Germany’s largest bonus program and the biggest branch banking network are joining forces. The cooperation between the savings banks and Payback was announced back in November 2023. The project is launching in regional stores and is expected to expand to national partners such as Aral, dm, and Edeka by the end of the year. However, there is also criticism. Consumer advocates, for example, are raising concerns about data protection.
How the New Points Payment Works
After a one-time registration in the S-Vorteilswelt, users can link the Payback function in online banking or the app with their Girocard. At the checkout, a regular card payment is sufficient to automatically credit points.
The network of potential partners is gradually expanding. In the medium term, around 12,000 regional retailers are expected to be connected. One advantage of merging Payback and the Sparkassen-Card is that neither an additional plastic card nor scanning an app is necessary. The receipt also directly shows the credited points.
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Some Doubt Data Protection
However, there is also criticism of the project, primarily targeting data protection. Consumer advocates criticize that every collection system enables shopping profiles. Those who do not want their data stored must deactivate the link in banking.
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According to the German Savings Banks and Giro Association, only the Payback customer number along with the payment date is transmitted. The amount, purpose of use, or account balance remain within the bank.
What Customers Should Know Now
Girocards with the Payback logo have been rolling out since spring, but older cards remain valid. Collected points can be exchanged for rewards or offset at the checkout as usual. Savings banks may also offer extra points for in-house products, such as opening a checking account.
Almost all of the 343 institutes are on board, though some savings banks will start later; the respective app provides information on the status.