JPMorgan ignited competition last month by debuting its Chase digital platform in Germany, enticing new users with a 4% interest rate on deposits for a four-month window. While Akram dismissed these tactics as unsustainable, Deutsche Bank’s internal brands have adjusted their own strategies. The bank’s Postbank division is currently offering a 3.2% rate for six months, while its smaller Norisbank unit has matched the 4% threshold, supplemented by a one-time switching bonus.

Akram argues that the bank's long-term stability relies on a deep-rooted, multi-product relationship with its clients rather than chasing short-term liquidity. He questioned the durability of digital-only banks that rely exclusively on rates to attract deposits, suggesting that once promotional periods expire, those institutions risk losing their customer base. Deutsche Bank insists its established funnel of existing clients provides a sufficient cushion against the encroachment of U.S. competitors in a notoriously crowded German retail market.