Moody’s Ratings has confirmed all ratings for Deutsche Bank AG, keeping the bank's long-term deposit rating at A1 but revising the outlook on those deposit ratings from stable to positive. The move leaves the bank's Baseline Credit Assessment at baa2 and maintains a stable outlook on senior unsecured debt and long-term issuer ratings.
In its assessment, Moody’s highlighted a number of substantive improvements in Deutsche Bank’s financial profile as it begins to execute the 2028 strategic plan. The agency cited a "materially strengthened and more diversified earnings profile, improved capital generation capacity, robust liquidity buffers, and a conservative risk profile" as factors supporting the affirmed ratings and the more optimistic deposit outlook.
Moody’s framed the rating action as a recognition of structural gains in the resilience, sustainability and predictability of the bank’s earnings following the multi-year transformation that began in 2019. The bank now presents a broader and more diversified earnings base, with improved profitability that narrows the gap to higher-rated global peers, according to the agency.
Under the 2028 plan, Deutsche Bank is targeting revenue of about 37 billion, rising from 32.1 billion in 2025, while keeping operating costs roughly unchanged at 22 billion. Moody’s expects continued prudence in the bank’s risk appetite and forecasts that loan loss charges will be contained to around 30 basis points of gross loans through the cycle.
Funding and liquidity remain central strengths in Moody’s view. The bank benefits from a large and stable deposit base that reduces dependence on wholesale funding. As of December 31, 2025, Deutsche Bank held 260 billion of average high-quality liquid assets, comprised mainly of central bank cash and Level 1 securities.
On asset composition and underwriting, Moody’s noted that roughly half of Deutsche Bank’s lending is to German corporate and retail clients and that underwriting standards are conservative. Exposure to commercial real estate and leveraged debt capital markets lending is limited, representing only about 5% of total gross loans.
The positive outlook on long-term deposit ratings signals the potential for an upgrade if Deutsche Bank demonstrates clear progress toward its 2028 objectives while preserving prudent risk management, strong asset quality, and solid capital and liquidity metrics. Moody’s added that upward rating pressure could build if the bank makes further meaningful advances toward its medium-term targets, especially by delivering sustainably improved returns and higher capital generation.