Deutsche Bank partners with Microsoft, HCL, IBM in tech lab launch

[June 03, 2015]  FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank <DBKGn.DE> will launch three innovation labs this year, partnering with big development firms to speed creation of financial technology for its own uses and will spend up to 1 billion euros ($1.11 billion) on digital development in the next 5 years.

Germany’s largest lender, which is overhauling its own infrastructure, said it would work with three technology partners for the labs, including Microsoft <MSFT.O> in Berlin, HCL <HCLT.NS> in London and IBM <IBM.N> in Silicon Valley. The announcement confirms a Reuters story from Tuesday, which said Deutsche Bank was preparing to launch the labs by year-end to address rapidly changing needs of the banking sector and its clients. "These labs will act as a bridge between start-ups and different parts of the bank, enabling it to apply innovative technology to enhance service to clients and internal processes," said Henry Ritchotte, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Digital Officer at the bank in a statement. (Reporting by Thomas Atkins; Editing by Harro ten Wolde) [© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.] Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.