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Milestones in the reshaping of Deutsche Bank

(Reuters) - Deutsche Bank <DBKGn.DE> is expected to unveil a major strategy revamp in the coming days that could separate its retail and investment banking businesses, setting a fresh course in the 145-year history of Germany's biggest lender.

Following is a timeline of key developments in Deutsche Bank's business.

1870-1886

Deutsche Bank is founded in Berlin by the banker Adelbert Delbrueck and politician Ludwig Bamberger, with Georg von Siemens serving as its first chief executive.

1947-1957

After the end of World War Two, Deutsche Bank was broken up into 10 banks but was gradually reformed after the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany. The successor banks merge to form Deutsche Bank AG, registered in Frankfurt, in 1957.

From 1959

Deutsche Bank enters retail banking by introducing small personal loans. It also begins an international branch expansion, opening branch offices in New York in 1979.

1989

The takeover of British merchant bank Morgan Grenfell marks an expansion into the global capital markets business.

1999

Acquisition of investment bank Bankers Trust heralds a broad move into the U.S. market. At home, Deutsche Bank moves to separate retail banking into the "Deutsche Bank 24" brand, with 6.8 million clients, 17,500 employees and 43 billion euros in assets, aimed at closely linking branch and online business.

A possible sale or flotation of the retail brand is envisaged, which would leave Deutsche Bank itself to concentrate on business with wealthy clients and companies, as well as investment banking.

2000

Deutsche Bank aims to merge with Dresdner Bank to join forces in investment banking. The deal fails over power sharing.

2002

The "Deutsche Bank 24" effort ends, hurt by customers who perceived it gave them 'second class' status. A revamp sees Deutsche Bank launch its Private and Business Clients unit, which absorbs DB24.

2006

Retail business expands with the takeover of Berliner Bank and Norisbank.

2007

Deutsche Bank starts retail business in China, taking a stake of almost 20 percent in Hua Xia Bank over a period of three years.

2010

Takeover of Deutsche Postbank <DPBGn.DE> and troubled private bank Sal. Oppenheim. Deutsche works to integrate Postbank into its retail operations and puts the private bank through a radical reorganization and cost-saving program.

2011

Deutsche Bank seeks buyers for parts of its asset and wealth management operations, excluding its lucrative DWS asset and wealth management unit.

2012

Deutsche Bank says asset management is a fundamental part of its business and groups various operations under the Deutsche Asset and Wealth Management umbrella, which aims to seek synergies with investment banking.

2015

Deutsche Bank considers selling Postbank and all or part of its Deutsche Bank-branded retail network, with its supervisory board scheduled to review management proposals on April 24.

Source: Deutsche Bank archives

(Reporting by Jonathan Gould and Kathrin Jones; Editing by Thomas Atkins and Keith Weir)