If you have a German bank account it shouldn't be a problem. But even if you use an online account (like DKB) you have to set your foot on German soil at least once for identification purposes.
not true (or, not any longer).
i just got papers from dkb with a very handy and cute instructions clearly stating the means of identity verification:
for outside germany:
- through a lawyer (they even recoup lawyer costs up to 20 euro!)
- through a bank
there's a "idendity verification" form included in what they sent me, and the instruction says that either the lawyer or the bank has to fill this in, both me and them have to sign the document and send back to dkb (address follows the instruction).
for inside germany:
- through a post office - take the "postident coupon" to any deutschen post office and verify yourself like this.
yay for me
less hassle.