Competition within the German financial services sector is intensifying. New and different business models are powerfully asserting their presence on the market. Their goal is to take away market share from traditional universal banks like cooperative and savings banks. At the same time, the purchasing pattern of bank customers is changing noticeably. Consumer loyalty has decreased. Local branches of regional banks are facing rapidly increasing pressures. In this book, Ulrich Thaidigsmann describes the changes that are taking place in customers' behavioral patterns and in the competitive environment in a highly practice relevant manner. These issues are put into factual perspective by means of a detailed analysis of the current situation experienced by the cooperative banks. Based on this, the author outlines a potential positioning strategy for a VR-Bank as a universal bank. Its final step is a potential business model that bears very little resemblance to today's traditional structures. The book addresses executives and decision makers within the financial services industry, associations, consultants, practitioners, as well as anyone else with an interest in the future of regional universal banks.