July Edition

Hello,  

Germany is in the throes of hosting the 2024 UEFA European Football Championships, and football fever has well and truly gripped the nation. We are joining in the celebrations and keeping our fingers crossed that our national team becomes European champions!  

But from European champions to a Global Player - and our own festivities! June saw the opening of our new UK headquarters in London and celebrations among our colleagues across the world for Pride Month. Plus, our business benefitted from a number of strategic partnerships and successes, too.  

Welcome to our latest edition, packed with top stories and highlights. 

Happy reading! 

Top business stories    

Deutsche Bank expands Bitpanda fintech partnership   

First off is the deepening of our Corporate Bank’s cooperation with fintech company Bitpanda . Headquartered in Austria, Bitpanda offers customers a digital platform through which they can buy or sell digital assets in real time. This API-based account solution will streamline and enhance the end-to-end experience for Bitpanda’s German client base, ensuring speed and efficiency, underpinned by German International Bank Account Numbers (IBANs). Deutsche Bank already supports Bitpanda with their cross-currency solutions in Austria and Spain.   

“With our strategy to be the bank of choice for the high-potential platforms, the partnership with Bitpanda represents a key milestone as we shape this emerging ecosystem through active engagement with leading industry players.”   

Kilian Thalhammer , Global Head of Merchant Solutions, Deutsche Bank Corporate Bank

The partnership unlocks benefits for both sides. The move marks another milestone in Bitpanda’s growth strategy and expands services for its customers in Germany. It also allows us to gain essential experience in an innovative field and fits well with our growth ambitions in the fintech and platform sector.    

Read more on db.com 

German Ministry of Finance and KfW completes placement of €2.43 billion worth of Deutsche Telekom shares 

Moving the spotlight to our Deutsche Bank Investment Bank , we are pleased to announce a landmark achievement in the German financial sector.    

The German Ministry of Finance, alongside KfW , successfully completed the placement of Deutsche Telekom shares, raising €2.43 billion. As Joint Bookrunner, we facilitated the placement of 110 million Deutsche Telekom shares for KfW. The Federal Government plans to invest the proceeds in rail infrastructure to make Germany’s train networks ready for the future.   

This sell-down marks the second-largest such transaction this year in Europe. We are proud to have played a pivotal role in it, underscoring our leadership in German investment banking and European equity capital markets.   

Top sustainability project   

Deutsche Bank finances the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere   

In the area of sustainable finance, we’re announced our support for TagEnergy ’s AUD 850 million financing of the Golden Plains Stage 2 Wind Farm in Victoria, Australia. We are proud to be acting as the Initial Financier, Mandated Lead Arranger, and Initial Hedging Provider on the transaction.    

Upon completion of the project, the Golden Plains Wind Farm will be the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere, generating over 4,000 GWh of green energy annually. That is enough to power more than 750,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions by 4.5 million tonnes annually, equivalent to 3% of Victoria’s total greenhouse gas emissions.    This transaction marks Deutsche Bank’s 22nd renewable energy asset financed in Australia. It reflects our ongoing support for sustainable finance solutions and underlines our ability to provide tailored structured solutions in the renewable energy sector.   

Read more on: db.com/asia      

Top of thought leadership  

Ole Matthiessen, Global Head of Cash Management and Head of Corporate Bank APAC and MEA, shares his thoughts on digital payment solutions and the synergies of cooperation that could make the digital euro and EPI a European success story. 

Payments Innovation – the digital euro and EPI should go hand-in-hand   

Europe is at a crossroads for digital innovation, especially in payment solutions. To keep pace with American and Asian innovation, Europe needs to establish its own solutions. The digital euro, developed by the European Central Bank (ECB), and, separately, the launch of the wero solution by the European Payments Initiative (EPI), are two key European developments. The projects have similar objectives, suggesting potential synergies.    

Both aim to facilitate a new instant payments experience and enhance consumer convenience by enabling account-to-account transactions. By aligning their goals, they can avoid redundant investments and create a unified, efficient payment method.    

Imagine a future where wero wallets integrate the digital euro, simplifying transactions and reinforcing Europe’s position in the global payment landscape. This partnership could set a new standard for instant and secure payments, rivalling non-European solutions.  

Read Ole Matthiessen 's opinion piece in the Börsen-Zeitung    

Top in UK   

Introducing our new UK headquarters at 21 Moorfields   

At the start of June, we welcomed over 300 distinguished guests to the opening of our state-of-the-art London headquarters and one of the largest new buildings in the city. The resounding sentiment? Impressive. And indeed, it’s hard to argue otherwise when you gaze up at the soaring 14-storey atrium or step into the auditorium, which rivals a cinema.    

The building stands elevated on massive steel struts just above one of London’s bustling underground stations. This architectural marvel will be the collaborative hub for around 5,000 employees who were previously working in several buildings across London’s financial district – a consolidation that promises greater efficiency and synergy.   

Just weeks after moving in, our employees remain as enthusiastic as our guests were during the opening ceremony. 21 Moorfields embodies the modern working environment you would expect from a brand-new facility. From cutting-edge amenities to sleek design features, it is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence. 

Top in diversity   

Celebrating Pride at Deutsche Bank    

June brings with it another important moment for us to mark as a community: Pride month. As we do every year, we joined the global celebration of Pride. It is a time to promote inclusivity, honour progress towards equality, and stand up for diversity and inclusion.   

But let’s rewind a bit: Pride’s roots can be traced back to the Stonewall Riots of 1969, when a group of LGBTQ+ protesters took a stand against discrimination in New York City. Today, Pride is more than a parade; it’s a chance to recognise and embrace diversity across all facets of life. 

Our Chief Operating Officer, Rebecca Short , sums it up: “At Deutsche Bank, we are dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.” As co-sponsor of dbPride, she encourages all of us to stand alongside our LGBTQ+ colleagues. “We not only can foster an inclusive culture, but we can draw on diverse views and experiences to better support our clients.”   

Fabrizio Campelli , Head of Corporate Bank and Investment Bank, adds: “Pride season is a time for celebration, reflection, and solidarity. As co-sponsor of dbPride, I feel proud to stand alongside our LGBTQ+ colleagues. Together, we build a workplace where everyone’s voice matters. Let’s use this time as a reminder of our progress made towards diversity, equity, and inclusion and continue our journey with determination.”   

Let’s celebrate diversity and each other. Not just during Pride season, but always and everywhere!   

Top at high altitude   

Ice racer, record setter   

Today, we’d like to highlight the remarkable story of our colleague Hrishikesh Deshpande . Hrishi was part of an elite team whose names have made it into the Guinness World Records. He achieved this feat by running the world’s highest half marathon to be held on a frozen lake. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Ladakh, India, the 21.09 km race took place in 2023 on the frozen Pangong Tso Lake at a staggering altitude of nearly 4,300 metres. Despite the formidable challenges posed by sub-zero temperatures and oxygen-deprived air, Hrishi crossed the finish line.    

He attributes his success to his mental fortitude and unyielding determination, qualities that he also brings to his professional life. At Deutsche Bank, he leads the Anti-Financial Crime Technology Team in Pune, applying the same dedication and resilience that saw him conquer the icy altitudes of Ladakh.    

Top number 

It is hard to steer clear of football in Germany at the moment, with teams battling it out to be European football champion in stadiums across the country. We have offices in 17 of the 24 countries that have been participating, and colleagues across them have been cheering on (or in some cases commiserating with...) their national teams. But there is still some time before the final match, and until then emotions will no doubt be running high among some of our teams! 

The impact of competitions of this size goes beyond the pitch though, especially when it comes to the economy. While hosting major sporting events often raises high hopes for economic growth, Deutsche Bank research suggests a more nuanced picture. The direct boost to Germany's gross domestic product (GDP) from hosting the tournament is estimated to be around 0.1% of quarterly GDP – a momentary uptick, but not a catalyst for the ongoing economic recovery.   

But there's a twist! History tells us that if you want to supercharge the economy, it’s not enough to host the competition – you need to win it! Nabbing the top spot can positively impact national sentiment, and this boost in morale can benefit the economy.  

Top links 

• Global Hausbank strategy: What Deutsche Bank stands for
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Deutsche Bank
• Economic analysis by Deutsche Bank Research
• What Next Dossier: Labour migration, skills shortage and AI
• Fly the flag for a strong Europe

Stay tuned for more insights and stories in the upcoming editions of our newsletter.