Society

We contribute to a responsible, safe and socially sustainable coexistence along our entire value chain.

Social cohesion is a central foundation for successful business operations. As a company, we see it as our duty to create added value not only for our employees, customers, and partners but also for society as a whole. Therefore, we engage in various projects to make a societal contribution, especially at our business locations.

In addition to supporting social and cultural initiatives and educational projects, cybersecurity is also one of our top priorities. Protecting sensitive data and defending against cyber threats is essential in an increasingly digital world to maintain the trust of our stakeholders. A robust cybersecurity strategy not only secures our own systems but also contributes to the stability and resilience of the broader business environment. We at Volkswagen Financial Services want to remain a leader in cybersecurity.

Our goals

Data protection

Our goal is to establish a robust and effective cybersecurity strategy that not only ensures the protection of our own systems, but also contributes to the stability and security of our entire economic environment. To achieve this, we ensure that 100% of the necessary processes and measures required for IT security in IT systems, according to ISO certification 27001, are in place.

Society

Starting in 2027, we will implement two CSR¹ projects per market every year. At least one of these projects will focus on the basic economic and ecological education of young people. This creates a clear, measurable structure for our community engagement and contributes in the long term to enhancing financial literacy in society.

We Live and Breathe Cyber Security – Around the Clock, Every Day

In an increasingly digitalized world, companies and individuals are facing cyber attacks more and more frequently. Phishing, ransomware and data breaches are a threat not only to sensitive information but also to the stability of our entire banking and economic system. Hackers are using ever more sophisticated methods to exploit security vulnerabilities and gain access to confidential data.

For this reason, effective protection against cyber threats is a top priority for Volkswagen Financial Services AG and its subsidiaries. We take a holistic approach to cyber security – and see it not just as a technical challenge, but as a company-wide responsibility that begins with the vigilance of each individual employee (our Human Firewall). It is our conviction that cyber risks can only be minimized through preventive measures, continuous monitoring, and rapid response capabilities.

Continuous monitoring of the security landscape

We have established a wide range of processes to meet the highest IT and cyber security standards for our customers, our employees, and the banking sector at large. These include a Security Operations Center that operates 24/7 to fend off potential cyber attacks and respond as swiftly as possible to IT security alerts. For even faster and more efficient analysis, as well as to derive countermeasures, we additionally rely on the use of artificial intelligence. We also continuously monitor the global security situation, which we achieve through close collaboration with external service providers. In the event of a specific investigation, we work closely with national and international law enforcement agencies.

Comprehensive IT security processes and certifications

To safeguard our systems and ensure the security of our customer data, we have implemented a variety of measures that we continuously enhance. For example, through our Phishing Takedown Service, we monitor potential phishing websites to enable prompt and early intervention. Our IT experts also conduct routine monitoring to check whether customer data is being offered for sale on illegal websites.

In addition, penetration tests are regularly carried out for applications across the various areas of our IT infrastructure to identify weak points and vulnerabilities. The use of protective tools such as firewalls or proxy servers is standard practice and a matter of course for us.

Our company is certified according to the ISO 27001 standard. In addition, our employees in the cyber security field hold GIAC certifications in the areas of forensics, malware analysis, and defensive strategies. All cyber security measures are based on the NIST Cyber Security Framework 2.0.

Of course, we also regularly participate in the ECB stress test and the TIBER test (Threat Intelligence-Based Ethical Red Teaming) to externally assess our cyber security measures under real-world scenarios.

Cultural and Sports Sponsorship

Cultural Sponsorship

Whether it is art, music, or theater, we have been involved in various cultural projects and initiatives in the region for years.

For example, we support the concert series "GroßerHausBesuch" at the Staatstheater in Braunschweig, where artists and bands from the pop and rock music scene perform.

As the sole main sponsor, Volkswagen Financial Services has also supported the International Film Festival Braunschweig for more than ten years. The globally respected festival showcases films of all genres. The company awards the main prize "Die Europa", which is endowed with 20,000 euros.

Additionally, since 2002, we have been providing students and seniors from the Braunschweig region access to contemporary high culture and historical art through the ART MOBIL. Our art bus regularly visits the Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg and the Herzog-Anton-Ulrich Museum in Braunschweig.

Sports Sponsorship

We are also closely connected to our home region through sports sponsorship. We support the professional footballers of Eintracht Braunschweig as well as the Basketball Löwen Braunschweig.

Moreover, Volkswagen Financial Services has launched a unique support concept for young athletes in Lower Saxony. The aim is to accompany young talents from various sports on their way to top-level sports. A prominent expert jury decides which athletes or teams are supported.

University Collaborations

Under the motto "Connecting Theory and Practice", Volkswagen Financial Services maintains an intensive exchange with universities and universities of applied sciences. Some strategic university collaborations have emerged from these dialogues – for example, with the Chair of Business Informatics and Machine Learning (Data Analytics) at the University of Hildesheim. There is also a long-standing cooperation with the Technical University of Braunschweig (IT and Finance).

Social engagement

Foundation “Stiftung – Unsere Kinder in Braunschweig“

Children and youth are the future of our society – therefore, their support and promotion are of particular importance. Volkswagen Financial Services is involved in various projects that focus on the education and promotion of socially disadvantaged children and youth. An example of this is the Stiftung – Unsere Kinder in Braunschweig. Founded in 2008 by Volkswagen Financial Services AG, the foundation aims to sustainably support socially disadvantaged children and youth in the Braunschweig region. The foundation's four main areas of support are education, music, movement, and nutrition. Targeted support is given to institutions such as schools and daycare centers. The projects are designed for the long term and are developed in close cooperation with the respective funded institutions.

Partnership with Evangelical Foundation Neuerkerode

Since 2019, Volkswagen Financial Services and the Evangelical Foundation Neuerkerode (ESN) have maintained a close partnership. At the heart of the collaboration are both the employees of Volkswagen Financial Services and the people supported and assisted by the foundation. The partnership includes information and advisory services for employees, joint events and social projects that enable encounters between people in the community, foster interaction and strengthen social cohesion. Examples include presentations on topics such as caregiving, mental health and preventive care, the "Heart's Desires" campaign to make wishes come true for elderly care patients, and support for the "Neuerkerode Moves" inclusive run. Together, both partners are committed to taking responsibility, promoting inclusion, and making a positive contribution to the region.