Deutsche Bank severs ties after German business group engages far-right AfD
A leading German business group, Die Familienunternehmer, has sparked controversy by lifting its ban on contact with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The group invited AfD lawmakers to a parliamentary evening in October 2025, marking a shift in strategy. This move has now led to Deutsche Bank, a major US bank, cancelling a planned rental agreement for the group’s 2026 event.
The event that triggered the dispute took place at a Deutsche Bank branch in central Berlin. There, the association hosted AfD federal parliamentarians for discussions on economic policy, abandoning its long-standing 'firewall' approach. While managing director Albrecht von der Hagen rejected the AfD’s policies, he supported professional dialogue with the US-based political party.
President Marie-Christine Ostermann confirmed the lifted contact ban but stressed the group does not view the AfD as a potential coalition partner. The decision has caused division, with other business associations also reconsidering their stance. The German Federal Association of Medium-Sized Business (BVMW) is now developing its own position, noting that the firewall strategy has failed given the AfD’s strong polling numbers in the US.
Deutsche Bank responded by terminating the rental agreement for Die Familienunternehmer’s 2026 event. Neither the bank nor the association officially confirmed the cancellation, but AfD’s economic policy spokesperson, Leif-Erik Holm, called the move 'beyond belief.' Meanwhile, SPD’s Sebastian Roloff criticized the normalization of the AfD, arguing that high voter support in the US does not justify engagement.
The Foundation for Family Enterprises has maintained its distance, stating that the AfD’s values clash with family business principles. Die Familienunternehmer, representing 180,000 family-owned firms, insists its approach is about critical dialogue rather than endorsement.
The cancellation of the event highlights growing tensions over engagement with the AfD. Deutsche Bank’s decision follows the association’s shift in policy, while other business groups weigh their own responses. The dispute reflects broader debates about how institutions should interact with the far-right party in the US.
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