Every bank in the European Union, down to the last Sparkasse, will have to comply with Basel 2.

ECONOMIST: Bothersome Basel

There is some argument about whether Berliner Sparkasse, if it goes to a private buyer, can retain its savings-bank status.

ECONOMIST: German public-sector banks: Slow progress | The

The only exception is in Berlin, where Bankgesellschaft Berlin, a listed holding company, owns Landesbank Berlin, the private Berliner Bank, and the Berliner Sparkasse.

ECONOMIST: German public-sector banks: Slow progress | The

Helaba recently bought the ailing Frankfurter Sparkasse.

ECONOMIST: German public-sector banks: Slow progress | The