The Deutsche Bundesbank, in consultation with the German banking industry, is the central body in Germany that issues Creditor Identifiers. These numbers are needed to enable enterprises, self-employed persons and associations, amongst others, to participate in the SEPA direct debit scheme.

Requesting a Creditor Identifier costs nothing

The Bundesbank does not charge any fees for Creditor Identifier requests. If anyone goes via a website operated by a private third party to request a Creditor Identifier from the Bundesbank, they should expect the third party to charge a fee for that service.

Beware of third parties misrepresenting the request procedure

Creditor Identifiers can only be requested online via the Bundesbank’s website. In addition, the Bundesbank will issue an applicant’s Creditor Identifier only using electronic means, in the form of an email. If a third party claims that Creditor Identifiers can only be requested from the Bundesbank by post, that is incorrect.

No liability for losses

The Bundesbank has no business relationships whatsoever with any third parties in connection with issuing Creditor Identifiers. Therefore, if anyone engages a third party to request a Creditor Identifier and suffers any prejudices or financial losses as a result, the Bundesbank cannot be made liable.