German Banks Open Private Equity to Retail Investors Amid Institutional Pullback

Germany's retail banks are breaking down barriers to private equity investments for small-scale investors, with major players like Deutsche Bank and fintech platform Trade Republic leading the charge. The MOVE comes as private capital firms seek alternative funding sources, with institutional investors growing cautious amid delayed returns.

Deutsche Bank has partnered with Switzerland's Partners Group to create a private markets product, while Trade Republic offers exposure through alliances with EQT and Apollo. Investment minimums vary widely—from €1 at Trade Republic to €10,000 at Deutsche Bank—reflecting a strategic push to democratize access.

The trend extends beyond Germany. US regulators recently opened retirement savings to alternative assets, while UK wealth managers increasingly offer private market products. Fintech platforms are accelerating this shift by lowering capital requirements through fractionalized investments.