Germany's Deutsche Bank is planning to sell its entire retail banking business in India, according to a Reuters report. This business includes 17 branches operating in the country. The bank has been striving to make its retail operations profitable, and this sale is seen as a step in that direction. Deutsche Bank invited bids from domestic and foreign banks for the sale of its India retail assets on August 29, 2025. However, no official information is available regarding which banks have submitted bids.

In the financial year 2024-25, Deutsche Bank’s India retail banking division generated approximately $278.3 million (around ₹2,455 crore) in revenue. Despite the growing number of affluent customers in India’s rapidly expanding economy, intense competition from local banks and regulatory constraints have made it challenging for foreign banks to increase revenue.

This is cited as a key reason for Deutsche Bank’s decision to sell its retail business.In 2017, Deutsche Bank also attempted to sell its India retail and wealth management businesses but abandoned the plan. The bank’s CEO, Christian Sewing, has announced plans to cut around 2,000 jobs in the retail division in 2025 and significantly reduce the number of branches.

Deutsche Bank has been operating in India since the 1980s, providing services such as treasury, derivatives, private wealth management, corporate, and retail banking. By the end of 2024, the bank employed over 22,000 people in India, making it the bank’s largest operation outside Germany.When contacted by Reuters, a bank spokesperson stated, “We do not comment on market speculations or rumors.”