Openbank, the 100% digital bank of Santander Group, has announced the appointment of Christopher Oster as the new General Manager of its German branch.
Oster will leverage his extensive expertise in digital financial services and corporate leadership to strengthen Openbank’s presence in Germany and accelerate its growth in a highly competitive market. He will report directly to Petri Nikkilä, Global CEO of Openbank.
A seasoned innovator in the digital sector, Oster founded Clark Holding SE in 2015, one of Europe’s largest insurance distribution platforms. Prior to Clark, Oster served as COO of Wimdu GmbH, a digital vacation rental platform, for five years. He also worked as a consultant at The Boston Consulting Group, contributing to banking sector projects in Germany, the Middle East, and Australia. His deep understanding of the financial sector and expertise in digital customer management will be crucial in shaping Openbank’s strategy in Germany.
Petri Nikkilä, Global CEO of Openbank, commented: “Germany is a key market for the bank with significant growth potential. We are delighted to have Christopher Oster on board, whose expertise in customer-centric solutions and innovative digital services will help us expand our offerings and create substantial value for our customers.”
Christopher Oster, General Manager of Openbank Germany, added: “I am very excited about this new role. Openbank’s digital transformation and ambitious growth plans provide an exciting environment where I can contribute my experience and drive further expansion in Germany together with the team.”
Strengthening market presence
With a reinforced leadership team, the introduction of a German IBAN in January, and the planned expansion of its product and service portfolio throughout the year, Openbank is well-positioned to advance its growth strategy.
Openbank manages over €19 billion in deposits in Europe and is backed by the Santander Group, one of the world’s largest financial institutions. In addition to its local IBAN and lending services, the bank offers an attractive digital banking model, featuring free checking and savings accounts—among the most competitive in Germany—as well as investment and savings products.