Legal/Financial

• You might consider leaving power of attorney with someone in case any legal matters arise. It's very inexpensive to do. You can set it to last only for the period of time that you will be abroad.
• You may also want to consider arranging the ability to make wire transfers of funds with your bank in the U.S., or between your U.S. and German banks, ahead of time. This is easier to do in person at your U.S. bank after you've opened your German bank account, and could therefore be something you could take care of in your first home visit. The German banks will also accept U.S. bank checks as a method for transferring funds from the U.S. to Germany.
• Check with your bank and other financial institutions (investment broker, accountant, etc.) about any forms you have to sign to authorize transactions from abroad.