Deutsche Bank CFO Cites Real Need for AI-Led Productivity as Tech IPO Surge Boosts Investment Banking Revenue

Deutsche Bank Chief Financial Officer Raja Akram said on the bank's third-quarter 2026 earnings call that there is a "real need for AI-led productivity," highlighting the firm's focus on deploying artificial intelligence across its operations to sustain momentum from a banner year in technology sector underwriting. The Frankfurt-based lender benefited substantially from the resurgence in technology initial public offerings during 2025 and early 2026, underwriting landmark deals including the CoreWeave IPO, the largest technology flotation since 2021, as well as the Chime fintech offering. Equity capital markets origination revenues climbed 21 percent to €225 million in 2025, while the global investment banking and capital markets fee pool expanded 12 percent to €92 billion.