It’s why we’re here
Deutsche Bank was founded to connect Germany to the rest of the world. Asia Pacific was central to this strategy from the start.
From old to new, from past to future, from local to global, we’ve grown together
It was in Asia Pacific that we opened our first international branches. This is where we first connected European companies to the rest of the world and began directing cross-border capital to finance the growth of industries, economies, and markets. We’re still doing that today, and much more, to support this region. For 150 years Asia Pacific and Deutsche Bank have grown together, moving from old to new and from past to future. Our local network spans 15 markets and has deep roots. The longevity of our presence and the local insight that comes with it are why we’ve been a trusted partner to our clients here for so many years.
From the multinational to the start-up, our clients count on us to keep trade, payment, and investment flows moving into, out of, and within the region. We provide the advice and financing so the ambitious can take the next step. We manage local payments and foreign currency transactions. We help develop markets, build businesses, and grow wealth.
We’re here for the pioneers and forward thinkers, sharing their entrepreneurial spirit and backing their vision. That’s created transport networks that connect countries. It’s brought digital connectivity and financial inclusion to communities. It’s why we are Asia Pacific’s partner in its sustainability journey.
We are proud to have contributed to the rise of this region, which has done so much to power our success in return. It’s here that our past, present and future meet. Ever-changing, always dynamic, Asia Pacific is leading the way into Deutsche Bank’s next 150 years.
Deep Roots - An illustrated history of Deutsche Bank in Asia Pacific
This book is available in two formats: a limited edition in print and an eBook. Flip through the eBook below to know more about our story in Asia Pacific, see bonus videos and photos.
Key milestones
1870: foundation in Berlin
Deutsche Bank was founded in Berlin to promote and facilitate trade relations between Germany and international markets.
1872: Shanghai and Yokohama
Deutsche Bank established its first foreign branches in Shanghai and Yokohama. Both branches had to be liquidated due to losses in the silver trade in 1875.
1889: Deutsch-Asiatische Bank in Berlin
Foundation of Deutsch-Asiatische Bank in Berlin – as a special institution for the East Asian market – by a German bank syndicate led by Disconto-Gesellschaft and Deutsche Bank.
1890: Shanghai
Deutsch-Asiatische Bank opened its main branch in Shanghai. Further branches were established in China before the First World War.
Show content of more
1896: Kolkata
Deutsch-Asiatische Bank opened its first branch for India in Kolkata
1900: Hong Kong
Deutsch-Asiatische Bank opened a branch in Hong Kong.
1905: Yokohama
Deutsch-Asiatische Bank established Japanese branches in Yokohama and one year later in Kobe.
Kobe
Deutsch-Asiatische Bank establishes a further Japanese branch in Kobe on May 8, 1906.
1906: Singapore
Deutsch-Asiatische Bank opened its branch in Singapore on June 16, 1906.
1914–1918: branches closed during First World War
All branches of Deutsch-Asiatische Bank in the Asia Pacific region had to be closed during the First World War.
1925: re-opening in China
Re-opening of the branches of Deutsch-Asiatische Bank in Shanghai, Hankow, Peking, Tientsin, Tsing-Tao and Canton. All branches had to be closed by the end of the Second World War in 1945.
1949: Deutsch-Asiatische Bank licensed in Hamburg
Deutsch-Asiatische Bank was licensed as a foreign trade bank in Hamburg.
1958: Hong Kong
Deutsch-Asiatische Bank re-opened a branch in Hong Kong.
1968: Kuala Lumpur
Deutsch-Asiatische Bank opened its first branch for Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
1969: Jakarta
Deutsch-Asiatische Bank opened its first branch for Indonesia in Jakarta.
1971: Singapore
Deutsch-Asiatische Bank reopened its Singapore branch
1972: European Asian Bank
Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and its branches were integrated into the newly founded European Asian Bank.
1973: Sydney
Deutsche Bank opened a representative office for Australia in Sydney.
1975: Manila
European Asian Bank opened a representative office for the Philippines in Manila.
1976: Hong Kong
Deutsche Bank opened a representative office in Hong Kong, which was converted into a branch in 1979.
1978: Seoul
On September 4, 1978, European Asian Bank opened its first branch for Korea in Seoul.
1978: Bangkok
On September 8, 1978, European Asian Bank opened its branch for Thailand in Bangkok.
1980: Mumbai and Colombo
European Asian Bank opened on October 1, 1980 its first branch for India in Bombay (now Mumbai) and on October 24, 1980 its first branch for Sri Lanka in Colombo.
1980: Taipei
European Asian Bank opened its branch for Taiwan in Taipei.
1981: Beijing
Deutsche Bank opened its first representative office in the People’s Republic of China in Beijing.
1986: Deutsche Bank (Asia)
European Asian Bank became Deutsche Bank (Asia).
1988: regional head office in Singapore
Deutsche Bank (Asia) was merged into Deutsche Bank AG. The management of the Asia business was relocated from Hamburg to the regional head office in Singapore.
1989: New Delhi
Deutsche Bank opened a branch in India’s capital New Delhi.
1992: Hanoi
Deutsche Bank opened a representative office in Hanoi. It was the first German financial institution to receive a banking license in Vietnam.
1994: Guangzhou
Deutsche Bank opened a representative office in Guangzhou (formerly Canton), which was converted into a branch in 1995.
1994: Bangalore
Deutsche Bank opened a branch in Bangalore on May 9, 1994.
1995: Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh City
Deutsche Bank opened a representative office in Shanghai, which was converted into a branch in 1999.
1996: Kolkata
Deutsche Bank opened a branch in Kolkata on October 8, 1996.
1999: Chennai
Deutsche Bank opened a branch in Chennai on July 27, 1999.
2003: Deutsche Bank Asia Foundation
Inception of Deutsche Bank Asia Foundation. More about Deutsche Bank's Corporate Responsibility units and foundations worldwide including Deutsche Bank Asia Foundation.
2004: Beijing
Deutsche Bank converted its representative office in Beijing into a branch.
2005: retail banking in India
Deutsche Bank launched its Private & Business Clients (PBC) activities in India.
2005: Khar, Gurgaon and Noida
Deutsche Bank opened branches in Khar on November 16, 2005 and in Gurgaon and Noida on December 2, 2005.
2007: China
Deutsche Bank launched its Private & Business Clients service in China and opened sub-branches in Beijing and Shanghai.
2007: Aurangabad and Kolhapur
Deutsche Bank opened branches in Aurangabad on July 16, 2007 and in Kolhapur on July 24, 2007.
2008: Deutsche Bank (China) Co., Ltd.
Deutsche Bank (China) Co., Ltd., a wholly foreign-funded subsidiary bank solely owned by Deutsche Bank AG, officially commenced operations. The branches and sub-branches of Deutsche Bank AG in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou were converted into corresponding branches and sub-branches of Deutsche Bank China, with headquarters in Beijing.
2008: Salem, Vellore and Pune
Deutsche Bank opened branches in Salem and Vellore on September 23, 2008 and in Pune on October 6, 2008.
2010: Tianjin
Deutsche Bank opened branches in Tianjin on March 23, 2010.
2010: Moradabad and Ludhiana
Deutsche Bank opened branches in Moradabad on April 10, 2010 and in Ludhiana on April 13, 2010.
2011: Chongqing
Deutsche Bank opened branches in Chongqing on April 28, 2011.
2021: ESG Centre of Excellence in Singapore
Deutsche Bank establishes our ESG Centre of Excellence in Singapore to help accelerate sustainability globally.
2022: Dhaka
Deutsche Bank opens a representative office in Dhaka, Bangladesh.