The history of the W&W Group Our experience for your future
The companies of the W&W Group can look back on a long history. Their roots go back to 1828 and thus combine more than 190 years of experience in serving their customers.
A third division is created 2018: W&W brandpool GmbH
The W&W Group bundles new digital activities in a third division. In addition to the digital brand Adam Riese, these include among other the financial assistant treefin/FinanzGuide, the app Keleya and NIST, the digital financing assistant for real estate purchases. The activities are managed by the newly founded W&W brandpool GmbH.
2016: W&W AG to be listed on the SDAX
Effective 21 March 2016, Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG (W&W AG) is listed by Deutsche Börse AG on the SDAX. With a free-float market capitalisation of approximately EUR 360 million and a monthly order book volume of more than EUR 26 million, W&W AG joins the large stocks in the SDAX.
Takeovers and sales cooperation 2009: Wüstenrot on the path to growth
In 2009, Wüstenrot acquired Victoria Vereinsbank Bauspar AG based in Munich. One year later, Wüstenrot Bausparkasse also took over Allianz Dresdner Bauspar AG in Bad Vilbel (near Frankfurt). Sales cooperation with the ERGO Group, HypoVereinsbank and Allianz subsequently further strengthen the sales force of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse.
A common logo 2008: Modernisation of W&W commences
In 2008, the Group adopted a uniform brand image. The red W&W square has stood for a common culture since February 2008 and connects the parts of the Group as a common theme.
Württembergische takes over Karlsruher 2005: Karlsruher Lebensversicherung AG becomes part of the W&W Group
In October 2005, Württembergische Versicherung acquired a majority stake in the Karlsruher Insurance Group. Over the course of several years, the Karlsruher companies are merged with the companies of the Württembergische Versicherung. The Karlsruher brand is retained as a special sales brand.
Wüstenrot grows 2001: Merger with Leonberger Bausparkasse AG
Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG merged with Leonberger Bausparkasse AG. The Württembergische Insurance Group has held a majority interest in the company since 1974.
The foundation of the W&W Group 1999: Merger of Wüstenrot and Württembergische
In 1999, the long-established companies Wüstenrot and Württembergische merged to form the Wüstenrot & Württembergische Group (W&W). Their product portfolios perfectly complements each other.
1991: The Württembergische Insurance Group
The Württembergische Feuerversicherung and Allgemeine Rentenanstalt merge to form the Württembergische Insurance Group. Württembergische Versicherung AG and Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG are established.
A year later, the first company advertisements were broadcast on national television with the slogan "Der Fels in der Brandung" (The pillar of strength). With the exception of minor changes, this has remained the slogan of the company to the present day.
Showing initiative – effecting change 1990: Establishment of the Wüstenrot Foundation
The Wüstenrot Foundation was established in 1990 by the "Gemeinschaft der Freunde", (Association of Friends), the founder and sponsor of the first German home loan and savings bank. Through Wüstenrot Holding AG, the Wüstenrot Foundation is today the majority shareholder of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, making it the actual patron of the W&W Group. The foundation is active and funds activities in the areas of monument preservation, science, research, education and art and culture. In doing so, it initiates, conceives and implements projects primarily on its own, but also promotes the implementation of outstanding ideas of other institutions.
To round off the portfolio 1974: Cooperation with Leonberger Bausparkasse
The Württembergische Feuerversicherung and Allgemeine Rentenanstalt start their cooperation with Leonberger Bausparkasse AG. A square of bars symbolises the concentrated strength of the two Württemberg companies Württ-Feuer and Württ-Rechtsschutz and Leonberger Bausparkasse.
Württembergische Versicherung grows 1971: Württembergische Rechtsschutzversicherung
The Württembergische Versicherung expands further: Founding of the Württembergische Rechtsschutzversicherung.
Inventor of the condominium 1949: Founding of Hausbau Wüstenrot
The consequences of years of war can also be seen in the housing situation. Many people were glad to have a roof over their heads at all. It was therefore of the utmost importance to create living space quickly. In order to actively contribute to a solution, Wüstenrot, the first private home loan and savings bank, founded the non-profit housing organisation: Hausbau Wüstenrot. The first owner-occupied flats were built in 1949 and were the forerunners of the millions of condominiums subsequently built. The picture shows condominiums built in Ludwigsburg in 1952.
Since the merger with Wüstenrot Städtebau- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH in 2001, the company has been operating under the name Wüstenrot Haus- und Städtebau GmbH.
Mutual participation 1923: ARA and Württ-Feuer come closer together
Both Württembergische Feuer-Versicherung and Allgemeine Rentenanstalt are converted into limited companies (AG) in 1923. This resulted in each company holding shares in the other. The relationship between these companies therefore goes back a long way. Around 70 years later, these two companies also formed the core of the resulting Württembergische Insurance Group.
Wüstenrot – The origins of home loan and savings 1921: The "Gemeinschaft der Freunde" (Association of Friends), Wüstenrot
On the initiative of Georg Kropp, the forerunner of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse – at the time "Gemeinschaft der Freunde" (Association of Friends, GdF) – was founded with its headquarters in the small town of Wüstenrot in the State of Württemberg in May 1921. His aim was to create an association to create new opportunities for home building and retirement homes for the general public on a purely non-profit basis and in accordance with land reform regulations. He wants to enable families to own their own home and land. To Kropp, home loan and savings was far more than simply a good business idea as he genuinely wanted to help people from middle and lower classes to prosperity, financial security and a healthy life in their own homes.
First German pension insurance 1833: Foundation of the Allgemeine Rentenanstalt (ARA)
At the end of May 1833, the Royal Württemberg State Government approved the statutes of the "Allgemeine Renten-Anstalt zu Stuttgart", the first company on German soil to commence pension insurance business.
In 1835, Friedrich Scholl founded a pension fund in Karlsruhe, which later becomes Karlsruher Lebensversicherung.
First property insurance company in Southern Germ 1828: Founding of the Württembergische Privat-Feuer-Versicherungs-Gesellschaft
By the beginning of the 19th century, it was possible to insure moveable property, however only with companies outside the state of Wuerttemberg. For this reason, in 1825, the 29-year-old tobacco manufacturer Georg Wechßler from Ulm called for the founding of a "Württembergische Waaren- und Mobilien- und Brand Assekuranz" (goods, property and fire insurance company). Three years later, the "Württembergische Privat-Feuer-Versicherungs-Gesellschaft" opened for business in Stuttgart as the first private property insurance company in Southern Germany. In the first 5 years, 5,000 policies were issued and the company's sign appeared on more and more buildings in the state: two red hands entwined on a black background symbolising the nature of the mutual association.