'Late low ball': Lawyer slams Deutsche Bank settlement offer in long-running Postbank suit

Core Viewpoint - Deutsche Bank is facing legal challenges regarding its acquisition of Postbank, with a proposed settlement being criticized as insufficient by plaintiffs' representatives [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings - The legal action against Deutsche Bank has been ongoing since 2010, involving hundreds of claimants, including both institutional and private investors [1]. - A hearing regarding the Postbank case is scheduled at the Higher Regional Court in Cologne [2]. - The proposed settlement of 36.50 euros ($40.12) per Postbank share has already been rejected by at least one claimant, indicating potential difficulties in reaching an agreement [2]. Group 2: Financial Impact - Deutsche Bank reported a net loss attributable to shareholders for the first time in four years, largely due to a 1.3 billion euro provision for Postbank-related cases [3]. - Despite the legal challenges, Deutsche Bank shares have increased nearly 12% year-to-date as of the latest report [3]. Group 3: Settlement Discussions - Deutsche Bank is engaged in settlement discussions with various groups of plaintiffs but has not provided further details on the status of these talks [3]. - The timing of the settlement offer during the holiday season has raised concerns about the ability to contact all claimants before the deadline [2]. Group 4: Court Rulings - The Higher Regional Court of Cologne previously dismissed all claims in the proceedings in 2020, but this ruling was overturned by Germany's Federal Court of Justice in 2022, leading to a new decision [4].