Inside Deutsche Bank’s turnaround with James von Moltke
In our latest episode of This is Deutsche Bank, outgoing President and former Chief Financial Officer James von Moltke shares a first-hand perspective on the bank’s transformation journey and shares his thoughts on the forces shaping banking today.
What does it take to turn a bank around?
When von Moltke joined in 2017, Deutsche Bank was facing a challenging period marked by investor scepticism. What followed was a multi-year transformation shaped by difficult decisions, shifting conditions, and a clear focus on restoring credibility, led by our CEO Christian Sewing, von Moltke and the Management Board.
How did we rebuild trust with investors and stakeholders?
The journey was as much about execution as strategy. Discipline, consistency and a willingness to aim high all played a role in shifting perceptions over time. “We deliberately set relatively aspirational objectives… The higher you set the bar, the greater the aspirations, the harder we would all work to get there. And I think that was the right choice as history shows.” Confidence isn’t built with one audience alone, though. Maintaining trust across investors, clients and employees proved equally critical.
What are the biggest questions facing banks today?
From geopolitical shifts to competitive dynamics between the US and Europe, the landscape is evolving quickly for banks, von Moltke says. At the same time, new technologies such as AI are set to reshape how they operate and serve clients.
What advice would von Moltke give the next generation?
We also ask von Moltke about his own career, and what advice he would give to those thinking about getting into banking and finance today.
About This is Deutsche Bank podcasts
The world is changing at an ever-increasing pace. With the help of the bank’s leaders and experts, This is Deutsche Bank’s regular episodes look at what these changes mean for the banking industry and society through stories, ideas and developments from Deutsche Bank’s businesses across the world.
This is Deutsche Bank is available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and as a video podcast on YouTube.
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In our latest episode of This is Deutsche Bank, outgoing President and former Chief Financial Officer James von Moltke shares a first-hand perspective on the bank’s transformation journey and shares his thoughts on the forces shaping banking today.
What does it take to turn a bank around?
When von Moltke joined in 2017, Deutsche Bank was facing a challenging period marked by investor scepticism. What followed was a multi-year transformation shaped by difficult decisions, shifting conditions, and a clear focus on restoring credibility, led by our CEO Christian Sewing, von Moltke and the Management Board.
How did we rebuild trust with investors and stakeholders?
The journey was as much about execution as strategy. Discipline, consistency and a willingness to aim high all played a role in shifting perceptions over time.
“We deliberately set relatively aspirational objectives… The higher you set the bar, the greater the aspirations, the harder we would all work to get there. And I think that was the right choice as history shows.”
Confidence isn’t built with one audience alone, though. Maintaining trust across investors, clients and employees proved equally critical.
What are the biggest questions facing banks today?
From geopolitical shifts to competitive dynamics between the US and Europe, the landscape is evolving quickly for banks, von Moltke says. At the same time, new technologies such as AI are set to reshape how they operate and serve clients.
What advice would von Moltke give the next generation?
We also ask von Moltke about his own career, and what advice he would give to those thinking about getting into banking and finance today.
About This is Deutsche Bank podcasts
The world is changing at an ever-increasing pace. With the help of the bank’s leaders and experts, This is Deutsche Bank’s regular episodes look at what these changes mean for the banking industry and society through stories, ideas and developments from Deutsche Bank’s businesses across the world.
This is Deutsche Bank is available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and as a video podcast on YouTube.
Subscribe today to receive new episodes.
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