Hamburg Financial Centre Hamburg · 16 March 2026

Kick-off for the Update of the Hamburg Financial Sector Master Plan

Around 50 representatives from banks, insurance companies, FinTechs, academia, public administration and the real economy gathered at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce to launch the process of updating the Master Plan.

Well-attended hall at the kick-off event for the Hamburg Financial Sector Master Plan
Kick-off event at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce © zukunft zwei gmbh on behalf of FCH Finance City Hamburg GmbH
01

From the first Master Plan to new realities

The first and currently valid Financial Sector Master Plan was developed in 2021 in partnership by Hamburg’s Ministry of Finance, the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and Finanzplatz Hamburg e. V. – under the exceptional conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many objectives have since been achieved: Sustainable Finance activities were strengthened, financial and economic education expanded, and InnoFinTech established as an important programme for innovation in the financial sector.

Strategic development
Digitalisation, AI-driven transformation, climate change, skills shortages and new regulatory requirements call for a shared framework for the years ahead.

The establishment of FCH Finance City Hamburg GmbH as a cluster organisation also created a central actor that strategically develops Hamburg’s financial centre and coordinates collaboration between the relevant partners.

Senator for Finance Dr Andreas Dressel during an interview
Senator for Finance Dr Andreas Dressel in conversation © zukunft zwei gmbh on behalf of FCH Finance City Hamburg GmbH
02

Strong partners send a clear signal

The event was hosted by Finance City Hamburg, the Ministry of Finance and Districts, the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and Finanzplatz Hamburg e. V. Together, they provide the institutional and substantive foundation for the Master Plan process.

Finance City Hamburg Ministry of Finance and Districts Hamburg Chamber of Commerce Finanzplatz Hamburg e. V.

In their welcome addresses, Senator for Finance Dr Andreas Dressel and Hamburg Chamber of Commerce CEO Dr Malte Heyne highlighted both the achievements of recent years and the growing importance of Hamburg as a financial centre.

Two participants at the kick-off event during an interview
Voices from Hamburg’s financial ecosystem © zukunft zwei gmbh on behalf of FCH Finance City Hamburg GmbH
03

Ideas for Financial Sector Master Plan 2.0

In the discussion panel, Laura Marie Edinger-Schons of the University of Hamburg, Dr Svenja Richartz of HVB e. V., Jan Bringezu of Gravning and Dr Andreas Dressel provided important perspectives for the process.

01

Talent

Attract and retain talent while strengthening Hamburg’s financial centre as an employer.

02

Real Economy & Financial Sector

Connect both sectors more closely and develop joint solutions.

03

Women in Finance

Significantly increase the proportion of women in Hamburg’s financial sector.

04

Innovation and Transformation

Continue developing AI, Sustainable Finance and new business models with determination.

Participant in front of a display at the Master Plan kick-off event
Dialogue and participation are at the heart of the process © zukunft zwei gmbh on behalf of FCH Finance City Hamburg GmbH
04

Rethinking Hamburg’s financial centre together

The kick-off event marks the first milestone in a multi-stage process. Following the stakeholder interviews that have already been completed, thematic workshops will bring together representatives from the financial sector, the real economy, academia and public administration.

Completed Stakeholder interviews
Next step Thematic workshops
Result Concrete focus areas and measures
Goal Finalisation of the new Master Plan

The process will explore Sustainable Finance, internationalisation, AI-driven transformation, financial education and structural change in greater depth. The process is being professionally supported by zukunft zwei.

Hamburg’s strengths

Close ties to the real economy, a strong academic landscape and a dynamic innovation ecosystem provide a powerful foundation for the financial centre of the future.