Christian Sewing
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1970/4/24 (age 55) 🇩🇪 Bünde, Germany |
| Nationality | 🇩🇪 German |
| Education | Banking qualification, Business Administration |
| Spouse | Married (name undisclosed) |
| Children | 4 |
| Career details | |
| Occupation | Deutsche Bank CEO & Management Board Chairman |
| Compensation | €9.8 million (2024) |
| Net worth | Undisclosed |
Christian Sewing (born 24 April 1970) is a German banker serving as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Management Board of Deutsche Bank, Germany's largest bank and major global financial institution, since April 2018. Born in Bünde, Germany, Sewing joined Deutsche Bank as apprentice 1989 before Berlin Wall fell, earning banking qualification from Chamber of Industry and Commerce (1991) then studying business administration at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. His 2024 compensation reached €9.8M (up 12%), placing him among highest-earning DAX CEOs despite bank profits falling 36%. Married with four children, enjoys tennis, maintains family privacy.
Career spanning 35+ years entirely at Deutsche Bank: Group Audit head (2013-2014) during $10B Moscow money-laundering scandal where audit gave Moscow office "clean bill of health despite serious irregularities," Deputy Chief Risk Officer (2012-2013), Chief Credit Officer (2010-2012), working across Frankfurt, London, Singapore, Tokyo, Toronto. Replaced John Cryan as CEO April 2018, tasked with mending bank's reputation after scandals. Led Deutsche Bank through COVID pandemic, navigating legacy issues including 2020 $150M fine for accepting Jeffrey Epstein as client 2013 (Sewing conceded firm "should never have taken" him). Announced 2020 expansion of Russia operations despite geopolitical tensions.
Early Life and Education
Born 24 April 1970, Bünde, Germany. Earned Abitur 1989. Joined Deutsche Bank as apprentice 1989 before Berlin Wall fell. Completed apprenticeship programme Bielefeld, graduated banking qualification Chamber of Industry and Commerce 1991. Studied business administration Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, Frankfurt.
Career
Early Deutsche Bank Career (1989-2015)
Apprentice 1989, banking qualification 1991. Rose through ranks: Chief Credit Officer (2010-2012), Deputy Chief Risk Officer (2012-2013), Head of Group Audit (2013-2014). Worked Frankfurt, London, Singapore, Tokyo, Toronto. Management Board member January 2015.
CEO Appointment (2018-Present)
April 2018: Replaced John Cryan as CEO. Tasked with mending Deutsche Bank reputation after multiple scandals. 2020: $150M fine for Jeffrey Epstein relationship (2013-2019), Sewing conceded "should never have taken" him as client. Announced expansion Russia operations 2020. Navigated COVID pandemic, legacy legal issues, regulatory pressure. Compensation increased despite declining profits.
Personal Life
Married (wife's name undisclosed). Four children. Enjoys playing tennis. Maintains strict family privacy, minimal public personal information. 35+ year career entirely at Deutsche Bank.
Compensation
€9.8M total 2024 (up 12% from 2023). Among highest-earning DAX CEOs. Compensation rose despite bank's net profit dropping 36%, overall earnings falling 7% year-on-year. Executive pay increases amid declining profits sparked criticism.
Controversies
Money Laundering Scandal
Headed Deutsche Bank audit division during $10B money-laundering scandal involving Moscow operations. Auditing division gave Moscow office "clean bill of health despite serious irregularities." Questions raised about audit oversight during tenure as audit chief.
Jeffrey Epstein Relationship
Deutsche Bank accepted Jeffrey Epstein as client 2013, maintained relationship until 2019 despite his conviction history. Bank paid $150M fine July 2020. Sewing conceded firm "should never have taken" Epstein, stated bank "learned our lesson." Regulatory violations and compliance failures during Epstein relationship.
Russia Operations Expansion
2020: Announced Deutsche Bank would expand Russia operations, decision controversial amid geopolitical tensions and concerns about Russian financial system exposure. Timing questioned given international sanctions environment.
Executive Pay During Profit Decline
2024: Executive compensation rose despite downturn in profits. Net profit dropped 36%, overall earnings fell 7% year-on-year. Sewing's €9.8M compensation (up 12%) amid declining performance sparked criticism about executive pay disconnect from bank performance. Shareholders questioned bonus increases during profit contraction.