The total number of credit institutions in Germany (including legally dependent building and loan associations) fell by 61 throughout the year, from 1,519 to 1,458 institutions (total numbers for comparison: 2020: 1,679 institutions; 2017: 1,823 institutions; 2012: 2,053 institutions). While the consolidation process was moderate, especially as of 2008, it gradually picked up the pace again as of 2016.