every family has its story

Family offices

As a trusted partner for more than 150 years to some of the world’s most influential families, we understand it takes deep dedication to meet the multi-faceted needs of family offices.

   

How can we help your family office?

Worldwide resources, local relationships

 

Harness Deutsche Bank’s global network of 100+ markets, guided by our heritage as a leading European bank and on-the-ground knowledge in our 80 Wealth Management offices.

One Bank, focused on you

 

We work as one bank across teams, borders and all divisions of Deutsche Bank — Investment Bank, Corporate Bank and Asset Management — combining insight and execution to deliver on your family office priorities.

 

 

Strategies for family wealth

 

From asset allocation to legacy planning to philanthropic alignment, we partner with you to build governance frameworks and investment strategies that support multigenerational wealth.

Financing for your family and your business

 

Whether you would like to explore the financing of liquid or illiquid assets, we believe we offer an unrivalled ability to support your family’s business ventures and personal wealth objectives. 

Who we work with

 

 

stefanie-ruehl-hoffmann

“Family wealth is personal. It reflects who you are, what you’ve built and how you see the future. That’s why we take the time to have a full understanding of what matters most to you and your family.” 

 

Stefanie Ruehl-Hoffmann, CFA
Expert for Family Office Solutions, Head of UHNW Clients Germany
 
 

Our core capabilities for family offices

Managed investments

 

Custom strategies reflecting your goals and risk preferences

 

Direct access trading *

 

Platform access for self-directed and advised trades, including structured solutions

 

Alternatives and private assets *

 

Access to investment solutions and open architecture offering

 

Speciality financing

 

From private shares and commercial real estate to mobile assets like yachts and aircraft

 

Day-to-day financing

 

Securities and mortgage lending to optimize liquidity and preserve investments

 

One Bank financing solutions *

 

Unlock access to a truly global corporate banking platform and FICC franchise

 

Corporate finance and M&A *

 

Investment Bank guidance on business sales, purchases and growth plans

 

Wealth structuring

 

Integrated estate, trust and succession planning tailored to complex family needs

 

Philanthropy

 

Charitable giving aligned with your family’s values and legacy

 

* For eligible clients only

 

 

Philipp Von-Danwitz

“Our large family offices operate at institutional scale requiring direct access to our global Investment Bank.  We collaborate across teams to deliver complex financing, debt and equity solutions, and strategic acquisitions. At the centre is a trusted relationship with a deep understanding of your family’s ambitions.”

 

Philipp Von-Danwitz
Expert for Corporate Finance, Head of One Bank Solutions
 
 

Dedicated events and connections

Join our global network of family offices and access exclusive events designed to foster connections and keep you informed of key trends shaping the future of wealth.

News and insights for family offices

Award-winning family office services

Euro Awards - Deutsche Bank team

We were proud to win 15 awards for the second consecutive year at the prestigious Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards in 2025. These included:

 

 “The UK’s Best for Family Office Services”

 

 “The World’s Best for Commercial Real Estate”

 

“The World’s Best for Entrepreneurs” 

 

For over 20 years Euromoney seeks the best of the best in its private banking awards. These accolades are a testament to our deep dedication to influential families and their family offices.   

Common questions about family offices

  • What is a family office?

     

     

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    A family office is a private business set up by a family of significant wealth to manage its financial, administrative and personal affairs.

     

    A typical family office provides a range of services including family financial planning and literacy, investment management, estate and tax planning, philanthropic initiatives, concierge services and family governance.

     

     

     

  • Do I need a family office? 

     

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    You might benefit from a family office if you hold diverse assets such as operating businesses, real estate and private equity, and want to streamline decision-making across investments, philanthropy and estate matters.

     

    If you wish to safeguard your family’s future wealth or have plans for multi-generational wealth, then a family office could serve as a strategic hub for exploring and executing ideas that align with your family’s values, vision and lifestyle.

     

     

  • When should I start a family office?

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    You may wish to consider starting a family office when your wealth becomes complex – typically after a business sale, inheritance or major liquidity event – and you desire centralized management of investments along with tax, estate, and legacy planning. 

     

    Or, if you’re planning for future generations, seeking more privacy and control or juggling multiple advisors, then it might be the right time to consier a family office as it may help you coordinate key decisions and align long-term goals.  You can start small and scale the structure as your needs evolve.  

     

     

  • What are some of the benefits of a family office?

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    A family office aims to foster cohesion and enhance family governance by creating clear structures for wealth management, succession planning and decision-making. It promotes transparency within the family and aligns values across generations – helping to reduce conflict. 

     

    By centralizing financial, legal and philanthropic affairs, it can help families make unified, informed decisions, preserving harmony and long-term legacy.

     

     

  • How does a family office support a smooth transfer of wealth across generations?

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    A family office can support inheritance and succession planning by facilitating family governance structures, educating heirs and coordinating communication to minimise conflict. It can design customised estate plans and manage legal and tax strategies to ensure efficient wealth transfer. 

     

    To help foster unity, it can create a family charter – a written document reflecting the family’s culture, vision and decision-making framework. Furthermore, many family offices provide tailored educational support to prepare the next generation for the responsibilities of managing family wealth.

     

     

  • What does a typical family office look like?

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    Each family office is unique and tailored to the needs of the family it serves. Some very large family offices employ dozens of specialised individuals to cover a variety of needs in-house, while others operate a more streamlined structure and outsource a number of more complex activities to banks, accountants and asset managers.

     

    Family office structures also vary substantially, and can involve multiple companies, trusts and foundations across multiple jurisdictions to optimize efficiency and flexibility according to family needs.

     

     

  • How do I begin the process of setting up a family office?

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    As each family office is unique to the family it is set up to serve, there is no fixed process you should follow.

     

    However a helpful starting point is to fully understand as a family your goals and objectives for the management and transfer of family wealth, which you may keep informally or via a written family constitution. Many advisors can assist you with this process, and the next steps of formally setting up entities in the right jurisdictions to manage your family wealth.

     

    Deutsche Bank has connections to a variety of top external advisors with whom we can connect you, and our Family Office experts would be delighted to share their thoughts informally with you as you begin the process.

     

 

 

Explore our Wealth Management capabilities

DPM

Learn more about our full range of wealth management capabilities and how we can support your family office's evolving needs.


Certain Family Office services are only available for clients meeting specific eligibility criteria.

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The value of an investment can fall as well as rise and you might not get back the amount originally invested at any point in time. Your capital may be at risk.

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Change of name: As part of Deutsche Bank’s Private Bank, the former International Private Bank also adopted this title on July 20, 2023.