Banking at Frankfurt
Visit of ECB, Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank
The students of the MBA-IM program along with the students from the Masters in Controlling, Accounting & Financing program spent a day in Germany’s financial capital – Frankfurt. The schedule was busy with meetings, presentations and discussions with senior officials from European Central Bank, Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank. The field trip was part of Prof. Dr. Wentzel’s lecture “European Financial Markets” in the third semester. Prof. Dr. Wentzel holds the only Jean Monnet Chair for European Economic Integration in our state of Baden-Württemberg.
The day began with an interesting presentation at the European Central Bank (ECB). The students expressed their queries and voiced opinions regarding the different policies by the ECB, especially those pertaining to the recent affairs in the EU like, downgrading of countries by rating agencies, stemming the sovereign debt crisis and the possible future of Euro as a monetary union.
The students had an opportunity at Commerzbank to see one of the largest trading floors in Germany. It was a small glimpse of real world transactions in investment banking. Dr Jörg Krämer, Chief Economist and Divisional Board Member for Research, shared his views on the current Greece crisis and how different factors affect the
markets in Europe.
Later in the evening the focus shifted to core banking activities and the future of financial markets. This was the flavor of the discussions at Deutsche Bank (photo on the right) where Steffen Kern, Director International Market Policy, and Frank Rückbrodt, Regional Management, provided insights on the upcoming trends in banking and a view of how the developing economies of the world are rapidly changing the scenario for global financial markets.
After a rigorous schedule of banking, the students had a chance to unwind and enjoy a traditional dinner at the Apfelweinwirtschaft Wagner. It was a taste of the local culture after a busy day in Germany’s commercial hub.
Text: Sunil George
Photos: Julia Schulz
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