Deutsche Bank faces the prospect of having to tap shareholders for more cash after the U.S. Department of Justice asked Germany’s flagship lender to pay $14 billion to settle an investigation into alleged mis-selling of mortgage-backed securities. The record fine marks the latest blow to the bank, which has run a gauntlet of setbacks since the 2008 financial crisis.
The Department of Justice move was only the first salvo in what could be a lengthy negotiation over the size of the fine, but it raised fears the final penalty will be far greater than expected. Deutsche Bank said on Friday it has “no intent” to settle the issue at “anywhere near the number cited.”
The negotiations are only just beginning. The bank expects that they will lead to an outcome similar to those of peer banks which have settled at materially lower amounts.
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