The new head of KfW, Stefan Wintels, has for the first time publicly commented on what he sees as the core tasks of the state development bank: "Fortunately, we are seeing a decline in the demand for Corona aid," said Wintels on the occasion of the presentation of the quarterly figures.

"Now it is important to concentrate on the challenges our country is facing: two of them are undisputed climate and environmental protection as well as digitalization and innovation." These challenges are enormous, but the economic goal is also clear: "Basically it works about the sustainable restructuring of German industry and the long-term international competitiveness of our country. "

Tim Kanning

Editor in business.

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The previous investment banker of Citigroup took over the management of the state bank from Günther Bräunig at the beginning of October. In the coalition talks in Berlin, it is already becoming apparent that a future traffic light government is likely to involve KfW heavily in the financing of its projects. Financially, KfW is well positioned for this. After the crisis year 2020, it will be able to generate a consolidated profit of 1.9 billion euros this year after just nine months. Last year, after nine months, the bottom line was only 145 million euros, mainly due to high value adjustments and risk provisions. The significant recovery is mainly due to the fact that the loan and investment portfolio is valued better again after the end of the lockdown. But things are also going well in day-to-day business:All operational business areas made above-average contributions to the group profit, according to KfW.

The demand for Corona aid loans caused the bank's funding volume to skyrocket last year.

After 46 billion euros in the same period of the previous year, the development bank awarded 8.4 billion euros to corona aid from January at the end of September this year.

In contrast, the demand for loans for energy-efficient living space in particular continues to rise sharply.

In the pre-Corona year 2019, it was 8.7 billion euros, but has now grown to 26.7 billion euros.