Transformation (Diversity)

Deutsche Bank is committed to building a sustainable business in South Africa in which all South Africans can participate. It has taken responsible steps to comply with the requirements of the various laws.

Transformation is the responsibility of all the staff at Deutsche Bank. The Transformation and Diversity Forum is chaired by Prenesh Naidoo and the forum consists of elected representative staff from all parts of the business. Each product and support area has a transformation forum that drives initiatives on a decentralized basis. All staff at Deutsche Bank attend diversity training and there are ongoing initiatives to develop awareness for diversity. To support internal transformation, Deutsche Bank conducts trainee schemes, graduate recruitment drives, offshore training and bursary schemes to create a solid and diverse base for future succession and personnel requirements.

In South Africa we embrace the principles of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Amendment Act, which serves as the basis for the Department of Trade and Industry’s Financial Sector (FS) Code. In the spirit of these principles, Deutsche Bank is a proudly Level 1 contributor. This commitment to achieving a sustainable BBBEE contribution level has seen Deutsche Bank support a number of key initiatives as part of the FS Code. These include a substantial investment in developing black staff via internal training programmes, empowering small suppliers via continued supplier development programmes and consumer education as recommended by the FS Codes. We also have a strong commitment to fund developmental projects as described in the Codes

In recognition of its support and commitment to transformation and diversity, Deutsche Bank South Africa has been recognised as a “Level one Contributor” - the highest status under the legislative framework of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE).

With this achievement, Deutsche Bank South Africa stands out as the only bank among its international peers to have achieved this status.

The B-BBEE framework was initiated by the South African government to address the legacy of apartheid and promote equality across all citizens. Every year, companies in South Africa are measured and verified across five elements of empowerment: ownership, management control, skills development, enterprise and supplier development and finally socio-economic development.

In completing its level one status, Deutsche Bank South Africa crafted several internal and external initiatives across all facets of Empowerment. These included a comprehensive development programme for black staff over several months as well as hiring and developing black graduates as part of the Young Talent Programme. Deutsche Bank’s reach also extended beyond its immediate remit through the empowering of its small black-owned suppliers via continued supplier development programmes.

Other major projects included:

Deutsche Bank South Africa’s Entrepreneurship Centre

Launched in 2008, Deutsche Bank established the Entrepreneur Centre to promote the emergence and development of black owned and managed financial services entities. The Centre provides aspiring black entrepreneurs in financial services with the necessary infrastructure to start and develop their businesses over a two to three year period.

Deutsche Bank South Africa Foundation

Deutsche Bank South Africa Foundation has supported many non-profit organisations and programmes, primarily in education and social initiatives. Most of the foundation’s project partners beneficiaries are 100 percent black beneficiaries, including pre-school teachers and children.