In 2006, Germany recorded the fastest growth rate of its gross domestic product since 2000, at 2.7%. Importantly, growth is no longer driven entirely by foreign trade, but includes domestic investment, and profitability is improving following a period of serious corporate restructuring.
This year looks set to be another good one for investment banking and capital markets as well as for the economy, says Michael Heise, chief economist at the Allianz Group. “The economic environment is stable, corporates are looking to grow by means of acquisition and their financing needs are increasing, with a continuing shift away from lending to the capital markets.”
