After careful analysis, the Management Board of Deutsche Bank has concluded today that a combination with Commerzbank would not have created sufficient benefits to offset the additional execution risks, restructuring costs and capital requirements associated with such a large-scale integration. As a result, the two banks have decided to discontinue discussions.

Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank discontinue discussions https://t.co/xX56DUj9RP pic.twitter.com/qPB0gB9LW0

— Deutsche Bank (@DeutscheBank) April 25, 2019

Deutsche Bank will continue to review all alternatives to improve long-term profitability and shareholder returns.

For the first quarter of 2019, Deutsche Bank expects to report income before income taxes of approximately EUR 290 million and net income of approximately EUR 200 million. Total net revenues are expected to be EUR 6.4 billion, including EUR 3.3 billion in the Corporate & Investment Bank with total noninterest expenses and adjusted costs in each case of EUR 5.9 billion. The Common Equity Tier 1 ratio at the end of the quarter is expected to be approximately 13.7 percent.

Deutsche Bank will report first quarter results on April 26, 2019.

Message from Christian Sewing to Deutsche Bank staff:

Dear Colleagues,

A few weeks ago we started talks with Commerzbank to consider a combination of our two banks. We have consistently said that we want to play an active role in the consolidation of the European banking sector. For that reason, we decided to evaluate this option thoroughly.

Our discussions with Commerzbank were very intense and took place in a constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere. However, we have now decided not to pursue this possibility further. How did we reach this conclusion?

We were always clear that we needed to be convinced that any potential combination would generate higher and more sustainable returns for shareholders and allow us to enhance our value proposition to clients.

After thorough analysis, we have concluded that this transaction would not have created sufficient benefits to offset the additional execution risks, restructuring costs and capital requirements associated with such a large-scale integration.

And as our preliminary first quarter results demonstrate, we are moving in the right direction under our own steam. In a very difficult financial market environment, we grew net income by more than 65 percent year-on-year to approximately 200 million euros. This is after booking full-year 2019 bank levies of around 600 million euros in the quarter. If the bank levies were distributed evenly over the four quarters of the year, we would have achieved a post-tax return on tangible equity of around 3.6 percent in the first quarter, close to our 2019 target of above 4 percent.

In particular, I was delighted to see positive indicators in several key businesses – a few examples:

• We achieved loan and deposit growth in our Private & Commercial Bank as well as loan growth in the Corporate & Investment Bank.
• We captured positive net inflows in both our Wealth Management and our Asset Management businesses.
• Our corporate finance business grew market share in the US, Germany and EMEA in the first quarter, according to Dealogic.

Furthermore, we continued to deliver on our cost targets. We reduced adjusted costs by around 7 percent compared to the prior-year period – excluding the bank levies we reduced costs for the fifth consecutive quarter. We’re well on track to achieve our 2019 cost target of 21.8 billion euros.

We have the financial strength to exploit revenue opportunities as they arise. Based on our preliminary results our Common Equity Tier 1 (CET 1) ratio improved to approximately 13.7 percent in the quarter, one of the highest ratios among our global peers.

The detailed numbers will follow tomorrow. However, we can already say that the broad picture is better than many observers would have deemed possible after the weak start to the year. Nevertheless, as any management team should, we will continue to review all alternatives to improve long-term profitability and shareholder returns.

Our achievements reflect the relentless commitment, discipline and sheer hard work you have shown. I want to thank you for that on behalf of the Management Board.

Our priority now must be to maintain this effort and to continue to focus fully on our clients. Market conditions improved towards the end of the first quarter. Let’s capture and sustain that momentum in the quarters ahead.

Best wishes,

Christian Sewing

Source: Deutsche Bank