| Former type | Investment Bank |
|---|---|
| Industry | Finance |
| Predecessor | Kleinwort Benson |
| Successor | Commerzbank |
| Founded | 1786 |
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom Frankfurt, Germany |
| Products | Financial Services |
| Parent | Dresdner Bank |
Dresdner Kleinwort was a British-based investment bank: it disappeared as a brand from the world of investment banking in September 2009, when its remaining businesses adopted the Commerzbank branding.
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Dresdner Kleinwort was established in July 1995 when Kleinwort Benson was acquired by Dresdner Bank.[1] It added global reach through the acquisition of the US investment bank Wasserstein Perella in 2001 (from Bruce Wasserstein).[2] The Frankfurt branch of the bank was instrumental in initiating trading in emissions credits in 2003.[3]
In 2004, the Russian government hired Dresdner Kleinwort to value Yukos's Yuganskneftegaz which was later sold to Russian state oil major Rosneft.[4]
In January 2006, the bank became the target of a $1.4 billion class action suit by six employees alleging bias and systematic discrimination against female workers.[5]
In December 2008 Commerzbank, who was in the process of acquiring Dresdner Bank, decided to close its Mergers & Acquisitions Unit.[6] Then in March 2009 it became clear that the office in Japan would close.[7] It also became clear that the capital markets and equities units would close and that advisory work would only be undertaken for Commerzbank's German clients.[8]
In February 2009 the Commerzbank management announced that no bonuses would be paid across the Commerzbank group including Dresdner Kleinwort. This was clarified to mean that Front Office staff would receive 10% of the bonus promised December 2008 and support functions would receive their full bonus.
This, together with issues regarding severance payments and guaranteed bonus payments, has led to a number of lawsuits.[9] In general, Commerzbank has claimed it is not morally obliged to pay bonus payments for failure, while those suing have claimed that they are contractually obliged regardless of the overall finances and/or that their specific parts of Dresdner Kleinwort made money.
In September 2009 Commerzbank decided to abandon use of the Dresdner Kleinwort name, though the legal actions resulting from the bonus issue is likely to keep it in the public eye for some time.[14]