Hot on the heels of the Deutsche Bank debacle comes the next nail in Germany’s economic coffin.
Germany’s second largest bank, Commerzbank is planning to cut almost 10,000 jobs over and will stop paying dividends to shareholders. These actions will take place over the next 4 years.
When the news broke about Deutsche Bank collapsing, the German government said it will not assist the ailing bank – however, some have reported that the situation appears so dire that they may have softened.
According to Die Zeit, the German financial sector is in talks with the government to have a rescue plan in place to head off a total collapse of the bank. However, Deutsche Bank and the German Finance Ministry have denied that the government would be prepared to hold a 25% stake in the bank to prop it up.
“This report is false. The federal government is preparing no rescue plans. There is no reason for such speculation. The bank has said that clearly.” A member of the Finance Ministry said yesterday. (source)
Concerns are rising due to the size of the fine imposed by the U.S. Treasury.
Deutsche Bank is Germany’s biggest lender and is facing a $14bn (£10.8bn; €12.5bn) bill for improper selling of mortgage-backed bonds before the financial crisis of 2008. Many experts don’t feel that they would have to pay the whole fine but say that it is within the rights of the Treasury to insist the fine is paid. If this happens, there is little doubt that would lead to the total collapse of the bank in its current form.
Germany is in turmoil.
A few short weeks ago, the German government recommended that its citizens prepare for a national emergency by stockpiling food, water, and cash. Was an impending economic collapse the reason why?
This is a nation that isn’t used to having to deal with such things and their hard-line stance during the Greek financial crisis has put them in a position whereby they will look hypocritical if they step in to help a German financial institution when they basically turned their back on Greece. A “bank holiday” left the Greeks with no access to money, and their financial collapse resulted in tens of thousands of Greeks being unable to feed their kids and a skyrocketing suicide rate.
Merkel’s’ open door policy for migrants has also caused some deep divisions with massive gains amongst the far-right who have pledged to cut migration.
The country has been besieged by sexual assaults and a rise in violence over the last few months and one has to ask how long the ‘strongman’ of Europe can keep travelling on its present course.
Of course, astute observers knew something was amiss when Germany announced it was looking at the possibility of re-introducing the draft and had advised German citizens to stock up on food, water, and cash in case the country faced a national emergency.
Europe is teetering on the brink, and although we are thousands of miles away, we must take note of what happens there. Trade and economy are inextricably linked in this age of global connectedness and the ripples are felt around the world when a major economy hits its crisis point.
About Daisy
Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging, adventure-seeking, globe-trotting blogger. She is the founder and publisher of three websites. 1) The Organic Prepper, which is about current events, preparedness, self-reliance, and the pursuit of liberty; 2) The Frugalite, a website with thrifty tips and solutions to help people get a handle on their personal finances without feeling deprived; and 3) PreppersDailyNews.com, an aggregate site where you can find links to all the most important news for those who wish to be prepared. Her work is widely republished across alternative media and she has appeared in many interviews.
Daisy is the best-selling author of 5 traditionally published books, 12 self-published books, and runs a small digital publishing company with PDF guides, printables, and courses at Learn.TheOrganicPrepper.com You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Gab, MeWe, Parler, Instagram, and Twitter.
Re: “Europe is teetering on the brink, and although we are thousands of miles away, we must take note of what happens there. Trade and economy are inextricably linked in this age of global connectedness and the ripples are felt around the world when a major economy hits its crisis point.”
Daisy, you are correct. The contagion spreads.
I have read that when the stock market crashed in 1929, many people said, “This will only affect the rich people.”
MUCH MORE TODAY versus 85+ years ago, the finances and economies of the world are so interconnected.
Excellent comparison!
My understanding is that all the G20 countries have signed on to the Basal 111 agreement , which stated that by DEC 2012 all the signatators had to implement legislation to bail out the banks .
I know here in Canada it was passed in the spring budget , buried deep article 147 I believe , .. Basicly it says the Govt . will liquidate the bank liabilities to make the bank solvent …. Your bank account is your ASSET but the banks liability …. Similar laws were intro into German , US , UK law etc etc before dec 2012 ..all the G20 countires ..
So don’t have any $$ in the banks ..