Packed Audimax as Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing returns to Frankfurt School

A packed Audimax, a long line of questions and a conversation that moved from career decisions to AI and Europe’s competitiveness: Deutsche Bank CEO and Frankfurt School alumnus Christian Sewing returned to Frankfurt School of Finance & Management on 21 September 2026 for a fireside chat with students.

The response from the student community was unmistakable. Every seat in the Audimax was taken as Christian Sewing shared personal insights from his career and answered questions on topics ranging from banking and technology to regulation, economic growth and the skills young professionals will need in an AI-driven world.

Frankfurt School President Professor Nils Stieglitz welcomed Christian Sewing back to the School, highlighting both his transformation of Deutsche Bank and the value of direct exchange between students and senior business leaders. Professor Sascha Steffen, DWS Senior Chair in Finance and Professor of Finance, moderated Christian Sewing’s discussion with students.

A career that could not be planned

Christian Sewing spoke openly about a career that began with an apprenticeship at Deutsche Bank. His message to the students was clear: careers cannot be mapped out in advance. Curiosity, resilience and flexibility matter just as much as expertise. 

“If you show flexibility the world is open to you,” he stressed at the end of the fireside chat.

Expertise still matters in the age of AI

AI was another recurring theme. Christian Sewing urged students to engage intensively with AI and make use of the opportunities it offers. At the same time, he was convinced that technology could not replace analytical skills, professional judgement or the ability to read a situation in a client meeting.

For future bankers, he argued, the combination will be decisive: strong technical expertise, confidence in using AI and interpersonal competencies to listen, learn and work effectively with others.

The students picked up on these themes with questions about fintechs, open banking, regulation, consolidation in European banking and Deutsche Bank’s strategic positioning. Christian Sewing also discussed Europe’s economic strengths and challenges, as well as the need for companies to contribute actively to economic growth in Germany.

The evening underscored what makes direct exchange between practice and academia particularly valuable – and why consistently fostering this exchange is a key objective of Frankfurt School: students were able to challenge, question, and learn from a leader whose career has involved many of the decisions, trade-offs, and transformations they study in the classroom.

After the final question, the conversation continued at a reception in the foyer – bringing an evening marked by strong student interest and open dialogue to a close.