A licence is required under § 1 of the Legal Advice Act (RberG) in order to deal with other people's legal affairs in a businesslike way (main or additional profession, paid or unpaid).
Responsible body: President of the district court

anyone arranging contracts for loans, or pointing to the opportunity of such contacts requires a licence in accordance with 34 c of the German Industrial Code (GewO).
No licence is required for businesses arranging loans solely to finance the sale of their goods (§ 34 c clause 5 of the German Industrial Code (GewO).
Responsible body: Consumer Protection Agency OR The Point of Single Contact in Hamburg