Green Party proposes using dormant bank assets for social projects

The German Green Party is proposing a motion to the Bundestag to utilize billions of euros held in inactive bank accounts to fund social projects and non-profit organizations. These 'dormant' accounts consist of savings, cash, or securities where banks have lost contact with the owners, often due to death without identifiable heirs.

Under the proposal, accounts would be classified as dormant after ten years of no contact, or after three years if a death is confirmed and no heir can be located. Banks would be required to report such accounts, and the assets would be transferred into a fund for social causes. The proposal aims to strengthen social cohesion and innovation without impacting the federal budget, while ensuring that if an owner or heir proves their claim later, they can still reclaim the full amount.