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Deutsche Bank's deal-making business weaker than expected, CEO says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on June 12, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Deutsche Bank's deal-making business weaker than expected, CEO says
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FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Deutsche Bank's origination and advisory business is not as strong as the German bank had expected at the beginning of the year, CEO Christian Sewing said on Thursday. Sewing said

Deutsche Bank's Deal-Making Business Falls Short of Expectations

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Deutsche Bank's origination and advisory business is not as strong as the German bank had expected at the beginning of the year, CEO Christian Sewing said on Thursday.

Sewing said at a financial conference that the deal-making business will be weaker in the second quarter than executives had planned at the start of 2025 as companies postpone decisions in the wake of U.S. tariff policies.

"Will it be weaker than we initially thought? Yes. But to be honest, we talk about a lot of delayed, but not cancelled, deals," Sewing said.

Deal-making has slowed this year as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on trading partners fanned turmoil in markets and sparked concerns about slowing economic growth. Other big banks, including Bank of America, have also warned of a slowdown in the business.

Sewing said he was optimistic about Deutsche's other business lines, like the corporate bank and retail bank, and Deutsche Bank is sticking to its targets, he said.

This is a crucial year for Deutshe Bank, Germany's largest lender, as it faces a deadline to meet ambitious targets on costs and profitability.

(Reporting by Tom Sims, Editing by Rachel More)

Key Takeaways

  • Deutsche Bank's deal-making business is weaker than expected.
  • U.S. tariffs have caused market turmoil affecting deals.
  • CEO Christian Sewing remains optimistic about other business lines.
  • Deutsche Bank aims to meet ambitious cost and profitability targets.
  • Other banks like Bank of America also report slowdowns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did CEO Christian Sewing say about Deutsche Bank's deal-making?
CEO Christian Sewing stated that the origination and advisory business is weaker than expected, with a slowdown in deal-making anticipated for the second quarter.
Why is deal-making slowing down according to the article?
Deal-making has slowed due to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and concerns about slowing economic growth, causing companies to postpone decisions.
What are the other business lines that Sewing is optimistic about?
Sewing expressed optimism about Deutsche Bank's corporate bank and retail bank, indicating that the bank is sticking to its targets despite challenges.
What is significant about this year for Deutsche Bank?
This year is crucial for Deutsche Bank as it faces a deadline to meet ambitious targets related to costs and profitability.
What does Sewing say about delayed deals?
Sewing mentioned that while many deals are delayed, they are not cancelled, suggesting a potential for future activity.

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