Bringing our purpose to life: new podcast with Christian Sewing

Two years after the launch of our This is Deutsche Bank framework, our CEO Christian Sewing sits down with Ben Alka, Global Head of Corporate Affairs and Strategy, to share his thoughts on bringing that purpose to life in our day-to-day work and how he has seen it in action.

What is our purpose?

Dedicated to our clients’ lasting success and financial security at home and abroad. That statement is part of our This is Deutsche Bank framework, which links our purpose to our vision, strategy, aspirational culture and claim.

Why do we want to be a purpose-led bank?

Purpose isn’t just a statement – it’s a practical guide. It provides a “North Star” that helps us make consistent decisions and stay focused on what we stand for over the long term. In any situation, we should be able to connect our actions back to our shared goal of securing lasting success and financial security at home and abroad for our clients.

What does purpose look like in practice?

Bringing purpose to life means putting clients at the centre of what we do – regardless of role. Whether in the front office, risk, compliance or infrastructure, every improvement in processes or decision-making contributes to a better client experience.

How do we apply it in our daily decisions?

One of the simplest but most powerful tools is to ask: does this decision support our purpose? Whether it’s a strategic choice or an everyday interaction, this applies at every level and across all parts of the bank. It encourages us to think beyond short-term outcomes and focus on creating sustainable value, whether we are working with clients directly or supporting them behind the scenes.

How is it relevant beyond Deutsche Bank?

Purpose goes beyond business outcomes. By acting consistently and thinking long term, we help build trust in Deutsche Bank and in the financial system more broadly.