Pursuant to the German Whistleblower Protection Act (Hinweisgeberschutzgesetz), the Deutsche Bundesbank is required to set up an internal reporting office (whistleblower office).

Under the German Whistleblower Protection Act, the Bundesbank’s whistleblower office can be contacted if there is information about criminal offences, certain administrative offences punishable by a fine or violations of other provisions listed in the German Whistleblower Protection Act which affect the Deutsche Bundesbank itself. In addition, the whistleblower office receives reports of breaches of laws and EU regulations as well as of requirements for the Eurosystem, the ESCB and the SSM to which the Deutsche Bundesbank is obliged to adhere.

However, the whistleblower office is not a point of contact for general complaints that are unrelated to suspected breaches of the aforementioned rules.

As part of the whistleblowing system, the Deutsche Bundesbank has appointed an ombudsperson whom whistleblowers may contact.