Eventful anniversary year: Metzler CEO Wiesheu remains optimistic

A year "marked by geopolitical conflicts and uncertainties" lies behind us, said Metzler CEO Gerhard Wiesheu at the start of the annual press conference. "And many stock markets around the world ended the year at record levels despite all the challenges," Wiesheu continued.

Metzler looks back on an eventful anniversary year

Metzler Bank also experienced an eventful anniversary year: 350 years of Metzler under the motto "Focusing on the Future." And they were already preparing for this future in 2023: "with an enhanced corporate strategy based on the three pillars of focus, efficiency, and growth," says Wiesheu.

He continued: “In our anniversary year, we began implementing our expansion plans in our four business areas: Asset Management, Capital Markets, Corporate Finance, and Private Banking.”

Wiesheu cited as examples the cooperation of asset management in the infrastructure sector with Yielco Investments and the opening of the Berlin private banking location.

Increased commissions in private banking

This paid off. The Group's commission income increased by €12 million to €192 million in 2024. This was driven by commission income from Asset Management and Private Banking. Overall, revenues increased by more than 10 percent, from €205 million to €229 million.

According to Wiesheu, one of the biggest cost drivers was personnel expenses, which rose by €6 million to €131 million. "This reflects, among other things, targeted new hires and increased salaries, wages, and bonuses," Wiesheu said. "We also invested in our systems and application landscape."

The final result is a consolidated net profit, from which "an unchanged dividend of €2.3 million will be distributed to the bank's shareholders." The majority of this will be "used to strengthen the Group's assets."

Wiesheu then addressed the individual business areas. Private Banking continued its "long-term growth trajectory" – driven by inflows and rising portfolio values.

Wiesheu also addressed the launch of the Berlin office : "With the new office, Private Banking will move closer to family businesses, founders, and start-ups in Berlin and the eastern German region in order to meet the growing demand there for professional asset management and support."

There was also an increase in staff at the existing locations (Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich and Stuttgart), so that the number of employees in Private Banking “increased significantly” in 2024.

Outlook for the 2025 financial year

According to Wiesheu, the positive development continued in the first months of 2025. In Private Banking, the focus is on the Berlin location and the reorganization of management. The team in Berlin is to be expanded to tap into "new client potential." This also applies to other locations.

Changed leadership in private banking

From January 1, 2025, the regional organization was replaced by a consolidated, supra-regional management of the customer organization , "in order to release synergies, increase efficiencies and further improve the proven comprehensive support of wealthy private clients," said Wiesheu.

Digital Competence Center MDX

Another change affects the entire Metzler Bank: The Metzler DX division launched on June 1. Wiesheu describes it as a "competence center in which the bank bundles its activities related to digital transformation, as well as digital assets, artificial intelligence, and process innovation."

The department brings together the Digital Asset Office and the Digital Manufactory, supplemented by employees from organizational management. The goal is to create more efficient and innovative digital processes that can be implemented more quickly.

Delicate plant of investor confidence

Wiesheu is also optimistic about the economic outlook. While Germany and Europe are facing major challenges, such as the trade conflict with the US, stock markets are trading near their all-time highs. "This is good news; investors' confidence in further growth is returning," Wiesheu says.

He continues: "Looking at Germany, we see a growing sense of optimism following the collapse of the traffic light coalition in November 2024 and the new elections in February 2025. The new federal government's approximately €500 billion infrastructure package paves the way for investment and future growth. Germany is investing again – becoming more attractive to investors and assuming responsibility in and for Europe."

The emerging confidence is already noticeable, for example through the increased need for advice.