We are focusing on quality and
sustainable growth
Profitable growth, strong customer relationships and a clear focus on future-oriented topics: In this interview, Herbert Woisetschläger, Head of Project Finance & Corporates, talks about his first 100 days at HCOB, the bank’s strengths as a financing partner and the opportunities for future growth.
10 September 2026 | Reading time 5 minutes
Mr Woisetschläger, you have now completed your first 100 days at HCOB. What impressions have you gained so far in your new role?
Woisetschläger: During my first few weeks, I attended numerous client meetings and saw for myself the high regard in which HCOB is held by many medium-sized businesses. What is particularly worth highlighting is how quickly decisions are made and how closely our business partners and teams work together. This builds trust with our clients and makes us a valued financing partner. We focus on quality rather than high-volume business and concentrate on transactions where we can create genuine added value and develop bespoke solutions for our business partners.
HCOB is strongly positioned in the corporate business despite a challenging market environment. What financing solutions does the bank offer in these segments?
Woisetschläger: Our strength lies in combining in-depth market knowledge, financing expertise and a close relationship with our clients. We understand the requirements of our business partners and develop tailor-made solutions – ranging from investment and acquisition financing, through working capital facilities, to trade finance and cash management services. Internationally, we also focus on primary and secondary market transactions in Europe, as well as on speciality lending. In doing so, we prioritise sustainable growth and long-term client relationships. This makes us a reliable financing partner, even in a challenging market environment.
And which business sectors are of particular interest here?
Woisetschläger: In the corporate sector, we are active across various sectors and deliberately prioritise good diversification. Generally speaking, we are interested in financing business areas that are relatively unaffected by economic cycles. We also ensure that companies have a solid liquidity position, for example to be able to weather periods of economic weakness. Our risk-aware approach and careful selection of projects create a robust and sustainable foundation for our business. This enables us to remain capable of acting and successful even in a volatile economic environment.
In the project finance business, topics such as the energy transition and digital infrastructure play an important role. Where do you see the greatest opportunities in the coming years?
Woisetschläger: In project finance, we are among the established specialists in the energy transition and the expansion of digital infrastructure in Europe. We monitor developments in the project finance market very closely and continuously assess new opportunities. We see potential in the financing of sustainable energy infrastructure and digital solutions, but we do not rule out traditional infrastructure either. However, it is not just about attractive market opportunities. Many of our clients are faced with the task of making their business models future-proof in terms of energy supply or digital infrastructure. With our financing solutions, we support them in making the necessary investments and successfully driving forward their transformation projects. In this way, we contribute to the modernisation of Europe’s economy and infrastructure.
HCOB operates its franchise business with a clear focus on Germany and Europe. How is your business structured across the Hamburg, London and Luxembourg offices?
Woisetschläger: We have a very diverse, international team and conduct our financing activities both from our headquarters in Hamburg and from our branches in London and Luxembourg. Corporates International has developed successfully and focuses on secured senior transactions for clients across Europe. We also provide bespoke, ‘out-of-the-box’ lending solutions for specialised financing in the corporate sector. Germany is our core market and will remain so. Here, we identify strongly with Hamburg and the surrounding region. This is reflected in our ongoing investment in projects and our support for regional businesses. We intend to further expand our commitment to the German market in the future.
What are your outlooks for the second half of 2026?
Woisetschläger: We are very satisfied with how business has progressed in the first half of the year. It is precisely in a challenging market environment that the strength of our business model becomes apparent: short decision-making processes, close customer relationships and the ability to capitalise on opportunities quickly. These factors make us optimistic about the coming months. We continue to see attractive business opportunities and aim to maintain new business at the high level of previous years.
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