Corporate Call Money 2026: Comparison, Providers & Actual Market Rates

A corporate overnight deposit account represents the most straightforward instrument for earning interest on idle corporate liquidity without committing capital long-term. However, the discrepancies between providers remain substantial—and a majority of financial institutions fail to fully pass on market interest rates. This comparison highlights the most competitive terms, identifies key considerations, and outlines when traditional overnight deposits reach their structural limits.

Fundamentals

What is overnight money for companies?

Call money for companies – also known as corporate call money or business call money – is an interest-bearing account specifically designed for the short-term investment of corporate liquidity. Unlike a traditional business account, the balance earns interest while remaining available at any time.

Three characteristics define a corporate overnight deposit account:

  • Daily Availability: You can transfer the invested funds back to your business account at any time without a notice period – typically within one to three business days.

  • Interest Yield: Unlike a standard business account, you earn interest on your balance. The rate fluctuates in line with the benchmark interest rate and the respective provider.

  • No Minimum Term: You do not enter into any long-term commitment. Unlike fixed-term deposits, you can increase, reduce, or fully liquidate your funds at any time.

Distinction from retail overnight deposit accounts

Private call money accounts can only be opened by natural persons, whereas corporate call money accounts are designed for companies of any legal form – including GmbH, UG, sole proprietorships, GbR, OHG, AG, KG, registered associations, foundations, or freelancers. The terms and conditions for corporate clients are frequently less favorable than those for private clients, as banks face lower competitive pressure in the business segment. It is precisely this discrepancy that makes a thorough comparison of providers particularly essential for corporate entities.

Delineation from the Business Account

A business account manages daily payment transactions, including incoming invoices, payroll, and direct debits. Conversely, a corporate overnight deposit account is used exclusively for investment purposes—without SEPA direct debit mandates, cards, or standing orders. Funds flow solely between your reference account (the business account) and the overnight deposit account. In practice, companies utilize both accounts in parallel.

Comparison

Current Call Money Rates for Corporates: A Comparison (September 2026)

The following table lists the currently most relevant corporate overnight deposit providers in Germany, along with their key terms—sorted by effective interest rate for medium investment amounts (€50,000 – €250,000).

Provider

Base Interest Rate

Promotional Interest Rate

UnitPlus Business¹

2.83%

2.83% (consistently above the ECB key interest rate)

ING

1.00%

3.75% (for 4 months, up to €1,000,000)

Finom

0.75 – 1.75%

5% (for 5 months)

trend

1.0 – 1.5%

4.25% (for 4 months, up to €50,000)

Volkswagen Bank

1.00%

2.9% (for 6 months)

Vivid

0.1 – 1.3%

4% (for 4 months)

Revolut

1 – 1.75%

✓

DKB

✓

1.20%

Fyrst

0.50%

3.5% (for 3 months, up to €250,000)

¹ UnitPlus Business is not a traditional overnight bank deposit, but rather a money market solution with daily liquidity—protected as a segregated asset with no deposit limit. The interest rate is aligned with the ECB reference rate (€STR) plus an additional margin.

As of September 2026 · Source: Provider information. Promotional rates are temporary offers for new clients; the base interest rate applies to long-term reserves.

1. Promotional rates do not apply to existing holdings

Several providers attract new clients with temporary promotional interest rates, typically lasting three to six months. Thereafter, the interest rate often drops significantly. When evaluating promotional rates, investors should always verify the standard rate for existing clients. For longer-term liquidity reserves, only the standard rate is relevant.

2. Maximum Investment Amount and Tranche Sizes

Many providers impose limits on the total investment amount. Furthermore, tiered interest rates are common: an attractive rate may apply up to €100,000, while any amount exceeding this threshold—or, in some cases, the entire balance—is subject to a significantly lower rate. It is therefore highly recommended to verify maximum investment limits and tier structures prior to opening an account.

3. Existing Customer Obligation

Some banks (particularly savings banks and cooperative banks) only offer corporate call money accounts to clients who already maintain a business account with them. With direct banks and specialized providers, this barrier is generally non-existent.

Overnight Deposit Index

UnitPlus Overnight Rate Index: What Banks Truly Pay Corporate Clients

In cooperation with Barkow Consulting, UnitPlus analyzes on a quarterly basis the average interest rates offered by German banks on corporate call money accounts, comparing them against the current ECB deposit rate (€STR). The findings are sobering:

Current Level of the Overnight Deposit Index ([Month Year])

  • Average corporate overnight deposit rate: [1.41]% p.a.

  • ECB deposit rate (€STR): 2.182% p.a.

  • Pass-through rate: [65]%

  • Estimated annual interest gap for German corporations: approx. €[1.9] billion

Corporate cash interest rates at their lowest level since July 2023

Overnight deposits, Germany, interest rate, businesses, by month, in % p.a.

Source: BC Data, Barkow Consulting

The significance of the pass-through rate

When the ECB increases its deposit rate, banks benefit immediately—they can park deposited funds with the ECB under more favorable terms. A pass-through rate of 100% would mean that the ECB interest rate is fully passed on to the corporate client. In reality, the market average stands at [65]%, with individual banks achieving rates between [40]% and [80]%.

Key Takeaways

  • Compare pass-through rates, not just interest rates. While paying 1.5% today may seem attractive, if the key interest rate falls, that rate may drop disproportionately. Providers with a higher pass-through rate track the market rate more predictably.

  • Promotional rates distort the picture. High promotional rates are excluded from the index once the promotional period expires. Rates for existing business are often significantly lower.

  • Market rate as a benchmark. Any provider that remains consistently more than 30 basis points below the €STR is expensive in comparison to the market.

Current €STR values can be found on the Bundesbank website.

The Complete Daily Call Money Index Whitepaper

Detailed provider evaluation, methodology, time series since 2022, and historical comparative data.

Deposit insurance

The €100,000 Threshold: Why Overnight Deposits Become Risky for Larger Amounts

What many companies only realize in an emergency: statutory deposit insurance secures a maximum of €100,000 per bank and per account holder. While this is typically sufficient for private individuals, for corporate entities—particularly mid-caps, holding companies, or startups post-funding round—it rapidly becomes a structural vulnerability.

How deposit guarantee schemes operate

The statutory deposit guarantee scheme applies throughout the European Union. In the event of a bank's insolvency, deposits up to €100,000 per customer and bank are reimbursed within seven business days. This protection also extends to corporates, whereby the legal entity is classified as a single customer. Multiple accounts held with the same institution are aggregated for this purpose.

Numerous banks also offer additional voluntary deposit protection through industry associations. For instance, the Deposit Protection Fund of the Association of German Banks (BdB) covers amounts exceeding the statutory limit up to substantial multi-million-euro thresholds, depending on the specific institution. Savings banks and cooperative banks operate their own dedicated institutional protection schemes.

Important: The voluntary deposit protection scheme is a commitment by the banks, not a statutory entitlement. At the end of 2022, the Association of German Banks already reduced the protection limits for corporate clients – a trend that continues to decline.

What this implies for corporations with larger reserves

To illustrate: a GmbH holds an €800,000 tax reserve in a corporate call money account. In the event of a bank insolvency, only €100,000 is protected under the statutory deposit guarantee scheme. While voluntary protection schemes may apply, they are not guaranteed and have recently been reduced on several occasions. For larger cash holdings, two primary strategies are available:

Strategy 1: Splitting assets across multiple banking institutions

You distribute your liquidity across five, ten, or more banks – in each case remaining below the €100,000 threshold. The operational effort is substantial, the number of accounts is high, and the accounting workload increases linearly. In practice, this approach is viable only for enterprises with a dedicated treasury function.

Strategy 2: Investment as Separate Assets

In the case of money market funds, your capital is not held as a deposit with a bank, but is instead managed as a segregated asset (Sondervermögen). In the event of the managing bank's insolvency, these assets do not form part of the bankruptcy estate—they are protected in full, without any upper limit.

Money market solutions like those from UnitPlus Business combine daily availability with market interest rates (€STR + margin) and segregated asset protection.

Rule of thumb: For liquidity reserves below €100,000 per bank, classic corporate instant-access savings accounts are a solid choice. For amounts exceeding this threshold, you should either diversify across multiple institutions or consider segregated asset structures.

Advantages

Advantages of Corporate Instant Access Accounts Compared to Standard Business Accounts

Why the effort of establishing a separate call money account alongside your business account is worthwhile:

Yield instead of stagnation

On a standard corporate account, companies typically receive 0% interest—some banks even charge custody fees. On a corporate instant-access savings account, you can earn between [0.5]% and [2.3]% p.a., depending on the provider. With liquidity of €200,000, this quickly translates to several thousand euros per year, earned with minimal effort.

Separation of Liquidity Pools

A dedicated call money account clearly separates your strategic reserve from your operational business account. This provides an immediate overview of your emergency buffer, tax reserves, and day-to-day operations, thereby simplifying liquidity planning and mitigating the risk of inadvertently deploying reserves for operational purposes.

Full Flexibility

Unlike fixed-term deposits, call money accounts offer daily availability. In the event of larger liquidity requirements, funds are typically accessible within one to three business days—without penalty interest, notice periods, or minimum holding periods at most financial institutions.

No account maintenance fees

For virtually all providers, account management is free of charge, and transactions between the reference and call money accounts are negligible—unlike a business account, which typically incurs basic fees and transaction charges.

Security through deposit guarantee schemes

Amounts up to €100,000 per bank are legally protected. Within this limit, corporate overnight deposits represent one of the most secure asset classes available—offering greater capital preservation than equities, bonds, or real estate. For larger sums, the limitations described above apply.

Typical Use Cases

In practice, companies primarily utilize corporate overnight deposit accounts for four main purposes:

  • Tax Reserves. Advance payments for VAT, corporate, and trade tax are due quarterly – until then, park these funds to earn interest.

  • Seasonal Fluctuations. Cyclical businesses (retail, tourism, construction) experience peak and off-peak phases. Call money accounts generate productive interest during peak phases.

  • Emergency Reserve. An iron reserve of 3–6 months of expenses remains highly liquid on a call money account while productively generating interest.

  • Temporary Parking Prior to Investment. For instances when capital for machinery, real estate, or an acquisition has been secured, but the final execution of the transaction is still pending.

Alternative Investments

Overnight Deposit vs. Term Deposit vs. Money Market Solutions – An Overview of the Alternatives

Call money is not the only option for productively investing short-term corporate liquidity. Depending on the investment horizon, volume, and risk tolerance, fixed-term deposits or money market funds may be more suitable. The table outlines the key differences at a glance.

Criterion

Instant Access Savings

Fixed-Term Deposit

Money Market Funds

Availability

Daily

Fixed-Term (1–60 Months)

Daily (1–3 business days)

Interest Rate

Variable, often below market interest rates

Fixed and in line with market conditions at inception

Variable, market-linked (€STR + margin)

Minimum investment

Typically €0

Typically €5,000–€25,000

Typically €0

Maximum Investment Amount

Frequently limited

Provider-dependent

Unlimited

Security

Deposit protection up to €100,000

Deposit protection up to €100,000

Segregated assets, fully protected

Suitable for investment horizon

< 6 months

6–60 months, foreseeable

< 12 months, flexible

Tax Treatment

Capital Gains Tax

Capital Gains Tax

Capital gains tax, and tax return if applicable

An overnight deposit account is the appropriate choice when:

  • Your liquidity reserve remains below €100,000 per bank,

  • You require maximum flexibility and do not know when you will need access to the funds,

  • You prefer a solid, low-risk yield over the highest possible interest rate.

Term deposits are the appropriate choice if:

  • You are certain that you will not require access to the capital for a defined period (e.g., 6, 12, or 24 months),

  • you are seeking a higher, guaranteed interest rate,

  • you are prepared to forego early withdrawal options in the event of an emergency.

Money market funds are the appropriate choice when:

  • You wish to invest larger sums (well in excess of €100,000) without having to establish relationships with five to ten different banks,

  • You aim to consistently earn the market interest rate (€STR) – independent of any individual bank's rate-passing policy,

  • You require daily liquidity, yet seek more robust protection than that offered by statutory deposit insurance schemes.

In practice, many corporate entities combine all three approaches: allocating a portion as overnight deposits with their primary bank for operational reserves, a portion as term deposits for foreseeable liabilities, and the larger share in money market funds as a strategic liquidity reserve.

Selection

What to consider when selecting a provider?

Simply sorting overnight deposit rates from highest to lowest and selecting the top option rarely yields the best decision. In practice, five criteria are of greater importance:

Promotional Interest Rate versus Existing Customer Rate

Promotional interest rates are temporary introductory offers for new clients—typically lasting three to six months, and occasionally up to twelve. Thereafter, the account automatically reverts to the standard variable rate, which can be significantly lower (falling, in extreme cases, from [2.8]% to [0.3]%). For long-term reserves, only the standard rate is relevant. Switching providers after every promotional period requires significant effort and quickly becomes uneconomical.

Minimum Investment and Investment Limits

Minimum investments typically range between €1,000 and €10,000—a threshold that presents no obstacle for most enterprises. Of greater significance is the maximum investment limit: many banking institutions only apply their premium interest rates up to a certain threshold (frequently €250,000, €500,000, or €1 million). Furthermore, close attention should be paid to tiered interest rate structures, where a lower rate may apply to the entire deposit balance rather than solely to the incremental amount.

Traditional relationship bank mandate versus independent provider

Savings banks (Sparkassen) as well as cooperative banks (Volks- und Raiffeisenbanken) typically offer corporate overnight deposit accounts only in conjunction with an existing business account. In contrast, direct banks (e.g., ING, DKB), specialized institutions (e.g., GEFA Bank), and money market fund providers are open to clients without a prior banking relationship. For the majority of enterprises, diversifying with an additional provider alongside their primary house bank proves to be highly advantageous.

Frequency of interest crediting

The frequency of interest payouts (monthly, quarterly, annually) influences the effective yield through the compounding effect. For an investment of €500,000 over two years at 2%, the difference between monthly and annual payouts amounts to several hundred euros. With UnitPlus Business, interest is credited daily—providing the highest possible compounding effect available in the market.

Payout Duration and Restrictions

Most providers process outbound transfers within one to three business days. However, certain institutions impose restrictions, such as minimum holding periods, specific transaction windows, or maximum withdrawal limits. Investors who require immediate access to their emergency reserve should carefully review these terms prior to opening an account.

Legal Entities

Which legal entities are eligible to open corporate call money accounts?

In principle, corporate overnight deposit accounts are available to almost every legal form—although the exact availability depends on the provider. The following overview shows which legal forms can typically open an overnight deposit account and what you should consider when submitting an application:

Legal Form

With most providers?

Frequently Required Documentation

Ltd. (German limited liability company)

Yes

Commercial register extract, proof of identity for the managing director, list of shareholders

Entrepreneurial Company (UG)

Yes

Comparable to a GmbH

Joint-Stock Company (AG)

Yes

Commercial register extract, proof of identity for the board of directors, and articles of association (if applicable)

Limited Partnership (KG), Limited Partnership with a Limited Liability Company as General Partner (GmbH & Co. KG)

Yes

Commercial Register Extract, Proof of Identity of the General Partner

General Partnership (OHG)

Yes

Commercial register extract, identity verification for all shareholders

GbR (German civil law partnership)

With only a limited number of providers

Articles of Association, proof of identity for all shareholders

Sole Proprietorship

Yes

Business registration certificate, government-issued ID card

Independent Professional

Yes

Professional credential or chamber certification, and national identity card

Registered Association (e. V.)

With only a limited number of providers

Extract from the register of associations, proof of identity for the board of directors, articles of association

Foundation

With only a limited number of providers

Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Association, Proof of Identity for the Board of Directors

Typical exclusion criteria

Some providers apply blanket exclusions to specific sectors or business models. Common hurdles include:

  • Non-German tax resident companies. If the registered office for tax purposes is located abroad, many providers will reject the application – even if the company is active in Germany.

  • Certain industries. Gambling, adult content, arms trading, and cryptocurrencies are categorically rejected by many banks.

  • Complex holding structures. Multi-tiered holding companies with nested ownership structures often require extensive KYC documentation.

  • Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). Opening an account is possible, but takes longer due to more intensive due diligence processes.

In case of doubt: We advise contacting the provider prior to submitting a formal application to confirm whether your specific legal structure and corporate setup are generally accepted.

Taxes

Taxes on Overnight Deposit Interest for Corporate Entities

The tax treatment differs fundamentally from that of private individuals. In a corporate context, the saver's tax allowance (Sparerpauschbetrag) does not apply, nor does the withholding tax have a debt-discharging effect. The precise tax implications depend on the legal form of the entity.

Capital Gains Tax and Solidarity Surcharge

On the interest payment date, the bank automatically retains 25% capital gains tax plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge on the tax (effectively approximately 26.375%). For sole proprietorships or partnerships subject to church tax, church tax may also be withheld. Unlike for private individuals, this withholding does not have a final taxing effect; it represents merely a prepayment towards the company's final tax liability.

Taxation by Legal Form

  • Corporations (GmbH, UG, AG): Interest constitutes operating income and is subject to corporate income tax (15% plus solidarity surcharge) and trade tax. The withheld capital gains tax is credited against this. The effective overall tax burden is typically around 30% of interest income.

  • Partnerships (OHG, KG, GbR): Interest is allocated proportionally to the partners and taxed via their personal income tax; the capital gains tax is credited against this.

  • Sole Proprietorships and Freelancers: Interest from a business account constitutes operating income and is taxed via personal income tax; trade tax may also apply.

Key accounting considerations for your business

  • Accurately record interest credits. Each interest entry is to be recognized as operating income, and the withheld capital gains tax as an advance payment.

  • Retain tax certificates. Providers issue an annual certificate detailing the withheld amounts – essential for tax filing purposes.

  • Specific considerations for money market funds. Income may be subject to different tax treatments (partial exemptions, lump-sum prepayments) – clarify specific details with your tax advisor.

Please note: This section provides an overview of typical tax scenarios and does not replace individual tax advisory services. Please consult your tax advisor regarding your specific situation.

Account Opening

Opening a Call Money Account – A Step-by-Step Guide

For most providers, the account opening process follows a standard procedure and typically takes between three and ten business days.

Step 1: Select Provider

Please utilize the comparison tool above. We advise you to consider not only the promotional interest rate, but also the standard variable rate, the maximum investment threshold, and any potential requirement to maintain a primary banking relationship.

Step 2: Complete the online application

Most providers offer an online form requiring details about the company, its managing directors or shareholders, and the reference account. The process typically takes between 10 and 30 minutes.

Step 3: Upload documentation

Depending on the legal structure, the following are typically required:

  • Commercial register extract (not older than three months)

  • List of shareholders

  • Proof of identity for all beneficial owners (holding more than 25% share)

  • Proof of identity for the managing directors

  • Proof of the reference account (bank statement or SEPA certificate)

Step 4: Complete identity verification

Either via Video-Ident (online, approximately 15 minutes) or Post-Ident. Video-Ident is significantly faster.

Step 5: Digitally sign the contract

Upon successful verification of your identity, you will receive the contractual documents, which are typically signed electronically.

Step 6: Receive Account Confirmation

You will receive an IBAN and online banking credentials. The account will become active and ready for use only from this point forward.

Step 7: Initiate your initial deposit

You transfer funds from your reference account to the new call money account. Interest accrual typically commences on the business day the deposit is received.

The overall duration depends primarily on the completeness of the documentation and the processing speed of the provider. With complete documentation and fast-acting direct banks, the account opening can be finalized within two to three business days.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions on Business Corporate Deposits

An overnight deposit account that delivers genuine market-rate yields

If you are investing larger sums, want to consistently earn market interest rates (€STR plus margin), and value the security of segregated client assets, UnitPlus Business is worth your consideration: daily liquidity, no promotional rate gimmicks, no upper investment limits – and your funds are fully protected as segregated assets.

An overnight deposit account that delivers genuine market-rate yields

If you are investing larger sums, want to consistently earn market interest rates (€STR plus margin), and value the security of segregated client assets, UnitPlus Business is worth your consideration: daily liquidity, no promotional rate gimmicks, no upper investment limits – and your funds are fully protected as segregated assets.

An overnight deposit account that delivers genuine market-rate yields

If you are investing larger sums, want to consistently earn market interest rates (€STR plus margin), and value the security of segregated client assets, UnitPlus Business is worth your consideration: daily liquidity, no promotional rate gimmicks, no upper investment limits – and your funds are fully protected as segregated assets.

All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of money you invest, and past performance does not guarantee future performance. We do not provide tax advice and investors are encouraged to consult with their personal tax advisors. All images shown are for illustrative purposes only, and may not resemble an actual product. We rely on information from various sources believed to be reliable, but cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of that information. Nothing in this communication should be construed as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

© UnitPlus InnoInvest GmbH 2026

Developed and hosted in Germany

All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of money you invest, and past performance does not guarantee future performance. We do not provide tax advice and investors are encouraged to consult with their personal tax advisors. All images shown are for illustrative purposes only, and may not resemble an actual product. We rely on information from various sources believed to be reliable, but cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of that information. Nothing in this communication should be construed as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

© UnitPlus InnoInvest GmbH 2026

Developed and hosted in Germany

All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of money you invest, and past performance does not guarantee future performance. We do not provide tax advice and investors are encouraged to consult with their personal tax advisors. All images shown are for illustrative purposes only, and may not resemble an actual product. We rely on information from various sources believed to be reliable, but cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of that information. Nothing in this communication should be construed as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

© UnitPlus InnoInvest GmbH 2026

Developed and hosted in Germany

All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of money you invest, and past performance does not guarantee future performance. We do not provide tax advice and investors are encouraged to consult with their personal tax advisors. All images shown are for illustrative purposes only, and may not resemble an actual product. We rely on information from various sources believed to be reliable, but cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of that information. Nothing in this communication should be construed as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

© UnitPlus InnoInvest GmbH 2026

Developed and hosted in Germany