Latest articles from Germany

Prospects look rosy for capital markets

April 2, 2007

With increasingly vibrant bond markets, and healthy M&A and IPO pipelines, the recovery of German real estate and the launch of REITs could be the icing on the cake. Geraldine Lambe reports.

AHBR’s Turnaround: restructuring in action

April 2, 2007

With Allgemeine Hypothekenbank Rheinboden’s (AHBR) balance sheet of about €75bn – about two-thirds in public sector loans and a third in mortgage loans – Lone Star first had to negotiate a large liquidity facility to replace the emergency measures provided by the German banks and backed by the deposit protection system.

Chipping away at the three-pillar structure

April 2, 2007

While the sale of Landesbank Berlin is raising hopes that Germany’s tripartite banking system will start crumbling, those more capitalist-inclined bank boardrooms with an eye on overseas expansion shouldn’t hold their breath. Geraldine Lambe reports.

Nick Teller

April 2, 2007

The CEO of Commerzbank’s corporates and markets division is meeting his brief to cut costs and risk but, he tells Geraldine Lambe, under his aegis there will also be selective growth.

An IPO with your Cognac, Mein Herr?

January 8, 2007

German private banks exude tradition but some of the family-owned institutions can compete with the best of the big league for Mittelstand investment banking business, writes Jan F Wagner in Frankfurt.

Is private equity the medicine that Germany’s banks need?

November 6, 2006

Private equity investors entering the world of Germany’s public sector banks could provide a shot in the arm for the country’s traditional three-pillar banking system. Joanne Hart reports.

JPMorgan reaps rewards of its success in Germany

October 2, 2006

JPMorgan recently followed up an IPO deal for German retailer Metro’s divestment of its DIY business, Praktiker, with an advisory role in the latter’s acquisition of a privately owned competitor. The team tell Edward Russell-Walling about their successive mandates.

Lehman’s winning formula secures chemicals takeover

August 7, 2006

Lehman Brothers’ homework enabled German chemicals giant BASF to walk off with US catalyst maker Engelhard for a mere 5% above its initial unsolicited offer. Edward Russell-Walling reports.

Dark horse strikes gold in high-cost jurisdiction

July 3, 2006

Although Germany is not normally regarded as a good place for foreign banks to make a fortune, Citigroup’s experience shows there are ways and means. By Jan F Wagner in Frankfurt.

The slow road to recovery

April 3, 2006

Although business confidence is up regarding Germany’s prospects for recovery this year, members of the public and the Mittelstand remain unconvinced. Ben Aris reports.

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