Historical researchers delve into Schufa's historical ties with Nazism
Schufa Announces Historical Review of its Past, Focusing on Jewish Founders
In a significant move to promote transparency and confront its past, Schufa, Germany's leading credit bureau, has announced a historical review. The review, a part of Schufa's "Transparency Offensive," will delve into the experiences of the Jewish founders of the organisation during the Nazi era.
The historical review will be conducted using Schufa's own archive and in collaboration with independent historians. The decision to focus on the Jewish founders is a direct response to the significant events in Schufa's history, particularly during the Nazi era.
Founded in 1927 as the "Protection Association for Sales Financing," Schufa was established by two brothers from Berlin and a board member of the Berlin Municipal Electricity Works (Bewag). Among its founders were Jewish bankers and entrepreneurs, including Walter Meyer, Robert Kauffmann, and Kurt Meyer.
During the Nazi era, these Jewish founders faced persecution due to their heritage. Walter Meyer and Robert Kauffmann lost their positions with the seizure of power by the National Socialists in 1933 and were forced to leave Germany. Kurt Meyer, another Jewish founder, was dismissed as managing director in 1937 due to his faith and fled to Argentina.
The historical review aims to provide a thorough investigation into the persecution of Schufa's Jewish founders during the Nazi period and to validate Schufa's history through an independent perspective. The review is also intended to provide transparency about Schufa's past, a commitment the organisation has made in honour of its 100th anniversary.
Tanja Panhans, the spokesperson for Schufa, made the announcement to "Bild." She emphasised that the historical review is a crucial step towards understanding and acknowledging Schufa's past, particularly the experiences of its Jewish founders.
While detailed, verified historical records on Schufa's Jewish founders and their specific fate during the Nazi period are limited in publicly available sources, this review is expected to shed light on these important aspects of Schufa's history. The review is expected to be a significant contribution to our understanding of the impact of the Nazi era on the Jewish founders of Schufa and the financial industry in Germany.
The historical review, a part of Schufa's "Transparency Offensive," will delve into the experiences of Schufa's Jewish founders during the Nazi era, with a focus on their persecution due to their heritage. The review aims to provide a thorough investigation into the persecution of Schufa's Jewish founders during the Nazi period and to validate Schufa's history through an independent perspective, offering significant insights into the impact of the Nazi era on the financial industry in Germany.
