Company: ADZCF
Filing Date: 2025-03-13
Form Type: 20-F
Source: 0001159508-25-000020
Chunk: 43

Company: DEUTSCHE BANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Filing Date: 2025-03-13
Form: 20-F
Chunk 43
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 to medium term and could adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations, if these matters develop in an adverse manner. Litigation and regulatory matters are subject to many uncertainties, and the outcome of individual matters is not predictable with assurance. The bank may settle litigation or regulatory proceedings prior to a final judgment or determination of liability. The bank may do so for a number of reasons, including to avoid the cost, management efforts or negative business, regulatory or reputational consequences of continuing to contest liability, even when the bank believes it has valid defenses to liability. The bank may also do so when the potential consequences of failing to prevail would be disproportionate to the costs of settlement. Furthermore, it may, for similar reasons, reimburse counterparties for their losses even in situations where the bank does not believe it is compelled to do so. The financial impact of legal risks might be considerable but may be difficult or impossible to estimate and to quantify, so that amounts eventually paid may exceed the amount of provisions made or contingent liabilities assessed for such risks. Guilty pleas by or convictions of the bank or its affiliates in criminal proceedings, or regulatory or enforcement orders, settlements or agreements to which the bank or its affiliates become subject, may have consequences that have adverse effects on certain of its businesses. Moreover, if these matters are resolved on terms that are more adverse to the bank than expected, in terms of the costs or necessary changes to the bank’s businesses, or if related negative perceptions concerning its business and prospects and related business impacts increase, Deutsche Bank may not be able to achieve its strategic objectives or may be required to change them. Actions currently pending against Deutsche Bank or its current or former employees may not only result in judgments, settlements, fines or penalties, but may also cause substantial reputational harm to the bank. The risk of damage to the bank’s reputation arising from such proceedings is also difficult or impossible to quantify. Regulators have increasingly sought admissions of wrongdoing in connection with settlement of matters brought by them. This could lead to increased exposure in subsequent civil litigation or in consequences under so-called "bad actor" laws, in which persons or entities determined to have committed offenses under some laws can be subject to limitations on business activities under other laws, as well as adverse reputational consequences. In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) conditions the granting of cooperation credit in civil and criminal investigations of corporate wrongdoing on the company involved having provided to investigators all relevant facts relating to the individuals responsible for the alleged misconduct. This policy may result in increased fines and