AKF Bank closes in Spain: what its customers should do now

Key data

If your company had financing, credit lines, deposits or any other product contracted with AKF Bank in Spain, this resolution directly affects you. The Bank of Spain has published the deregistration of AKF Bank GmbH & Co KG, Branch in Spain from the official Register of credit entities, effective as of 24 April 2026 (BOE-A-2026-10504, published on 14 May 2026).

This is not a minor administrative procedure: it means that the entity is no longer authorized to operate as a credit entity in Spain. Your contracts do not disappear automatically, but their legal and operational situation may have changed significantly.

What does this regulation establish?

The Bank of Spain resolution formalizes the deregistration from the Register of credit entities of AKF Bank GmbH & Co KG, branch in Spain. This register is the official instrument through which the Bank of Spain controls which entities are authorized to accept deposits and provide regulated financial services in Spanish territory.

Deregistration can occur for one of the following reasons, according to the Bank of Spain itself:

• Voluntary closure of the branch by decision of the German parent company
• Merger or acquisition of the entity by another
• Revocation of authorization to operate in Spain

The resolution does not detail the specific reason for the deregistration. To learn the specific cause and the treatment of existing contracts, those affected must contact AKF Bank directly.

The Bank of Spain exercises its supervisory and transparency function for the Spanish financial system with this publication, ensuring that the register reflects at all times which entities are operational and which are not.

Economic and operational impact

The deregistration of a credit entity from the official register has immediate practical consequences for those who maintained contractual relationships with it:

• Financing contracts: Credit lines, loans or active credit facilities are not automatically cancelled, but their management may be transferred to the German parent entity or to an assignee. It is essential to verify who assumes the creditor position.
• Deposits: If the entity operated with deposits in Spain, account holders must verify whether they are covered by the German Deposit Guarantee Fund (given the entity's origin) and what the procedure is to recover their funds.
• Standing orders and automatic payments: Any recurring operations linked to accounts at AKF Bank may be interrupted. Reviewing and redirecting these flows is urgent.
• Guarantees and collateral: If AKF Bank acted as guarantor or surety in your company's operations, you must verify the validity and continuity of those guarantees.

Who does it affect?

This resolution directly affects:

• Spanish companies with financing, loans or credit lines contracted with AKF Bank Branch in Spain
• Individuals with deposits or savings products at this entity
• Self-employed persons with operational accounts or financial products at AKF Bank Spain
• Companies that had AKF Bank as a counterparty in leasing, renting or other forms of specialized financing operations
• Entities that had contracted guarantees, collateral or similar instruments with this branch
• Financial advisors and managers who administer portfolios with AKF Bank products for their clients

Practical example

A distribution company that in 2024 contracted a working capital credit line with AKF Bank Branch in Spain now finds itself in the following situation:

The line formally remains in force under its contractual terms, but the entity is no longer authorized to operate in Spain. The company must contact AKF Bank to find out whether the management of that line passes to the German parent, whether it is assigned to another entity, or whether it is cancelled early. If it does not act, it may find that the line becomes operationally blocked without the ability to draw funds when needed, or that interest charges are managed by a different entity without having been formally notified.

The immediate action is clear: contact AKF Bank in writing, request confirmation of the contract status, and obtain in writing who assumes the position of the Spanish branch.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify all products and contracts with AKF Bank Spain: Gather loans, credit lines, deposits, guarantees, standing orders and any other active contractual relationship with the Spanish branch.
2. Contact AKF Bank in writing: Request formal information about the status of each contract, who assumes the position of the branch, and what the next steps are. Keep written records of all communications.
3. Verify the coverage of your deposits: If you have deposits, check whether they are covered by the German Deposit Guarantee Fund and what the procedure and timelines are for their recovery.
4. Review and redirect standing orders and automatic payments: Any recurring operations linked to accounts at AKF Bank must be redirected to another entity to avoid interruptions in payments to suppliers, payroll or other commitments.
5. Consult the Bank of Spain Register: You can verify at any time the registration status of any credit entity on the official Bank of Spain website.
6. Seek advice if you have doubts about guarantees or sureties: If AKF Bank acted as guarantor in relevant operations, consult with a legal or financial advisor to assess the impact and alternatives before contractual deadlines expire.