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Deutsche Bank continues to dedicate over 80 million Euros a year to non-profit purposes in spite of the financial crisis


WEBWIRE

Dr. Josef Ackermann: “It is in our own interest to invest in the stability and prosperity of the societies in which we operate.”

Frankfurt am Main, Despite the financial crisis, Deutsche Bank is not cutting back on its expenditure in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Last year, the bank and its foundations invested a total of over EUR 81 million in education and social initiatives, sustainability, art & music as well as corporate volunteering. Deutsche Bank has just released its most recent CSR report, which details the bank’s activities in this area.

Dr. Josef Ackermann, Chairman of the Board and of the bank’s Group Executive Committee, states in the report: “It is in our own interest to invest in the stability and prosperity of the societies in which we operate. As one of the world’s leading banks, we view corporate social responsibility as an integral part of our work - of mutual benefit to us and society as a whole.”

39 percent of the funds invested by Deutsche Bank in CSR activities was spent on social projects, 29 percent on educational programs. 27 percent were used to support projects in the area of art and music, and 5 percent of the CSR budget benefitted our corporate volunteering programs. The majority of these activities focus on the home market, Germany.

In 2009, particular emphasis was placed on investments in Education and Equality of Opportunities. Under the motto “enabling talent”, Deutsche Bank invested €23.5 million in educational projects around the globe in 2009. Dr. Josef Ackermann: “Education is crucial to enabling prosperity and growth and thus to ensuring the viability of our society.” Through numerous initiatives, particularly the new “FairTalent” program, the bank helps talented young people achieve goals otherwise unattainable for them, due to their social backgrounds. 275,000 people worldwide participated in education projects made possible by Deutsche Bank.

In the area of Social Investments, Deutsche Bank further stepped up its efforts in the area of microfinance in 2009. Through loans from Deutsche Bank and close cooperation with more than 110 microfinance institutions, in the last 12 years around 2.6 million micro-entrepreneurs, mainly in developing and newly industrialized countries, have gained access to capital enabling them to become financially self-sustaining. In the meantime, the total volume of all microfinance funds made possible through the support of Deutsche Bank has reached US $1.2 billion.

In the area of Art & Music, Deutsche Bank has expanded its long-standing partnership with the Berliner Philharmoniker, one of the most highly acclaimed orchestras in the world. One major project in 2009 was the world premiere of the Digital Concert Hall, through which concerts of the Berliner Philharmoniker can now be viewed around the globe at any time via the Internet. In addition, the bank introduced the “Artist of the Year” award. Conceived in 2009 and presented for the first time in 2010, the award went to Wangechi Mutu, a native of Kenia who now lives in New York.

In the past year, 14 percent of Deutsche Bank employees participated as Corporate Volunteers. Altogether, they performed over 34,000 days of volunteer work around the globe in 2009, contributing in their own personal way to our core CSR principle of “building social capital.” Supported by the bank, 14 percent of all employees worldwide, a two percentage points increase over 2008, committed time, energy and know-how to social projects.

Deutsche Bank also made significant progress with regard to the energy efficiency and ecological footprint of its activities in 2009. A total of 69 percent of its global electricity needs were supplied by renewable sources last year - that is 21 percent more than in 2008. The bank has come a lot closer to its objective of making all of its business operations climate-neutral by 2013. It was able to reduce its CO2 emissions by another 20 percentage points in the reporting year.

Following the modernization of its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main - the largest project of its kind in Europe - Deutsche Bank’s twin towers will rank among the most environmentally friendly skyscrapers in the world: Carbon emissions will be reduced by 89 percent, and heating energy consumption will decreases by 67 percent, electricity consumption by 55 percent, and water consumption by 43 percent.
In addition, Deutsche Bank is one of the main sponsors of the “Solar Impulse” project, an aircraft powered solely by solar energy, which is scheduled to complete an around-the-world flight in 2012. Last but not least, the bank is a founding member of the Desertec initiative, which is striving to secure a safe, sustainable, and climate-friendly energy supply from the North African and Middle Eastern deserts.

The full Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2009 is available on the Internet at: www.db.com/csr


About Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank is a leading global investment bank with a strong and profitable private clients franchise. A leader in Germany and Europe, the bank is continuously growing in North America, Asia and key emerging markets. With 80,849 employees in 72 countries, Deutsche Bank offers unparalleled financial services throughout the world. The bank competes to be the leading global provider of financial solutions for demanding clients creating exceptional value for its shareholders and people.

http://www.db.com/



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