JPMorgan Chase announced on Thursday that it will launch its Chase digital retail bank in Germany in the second quarter of next year, marking a bold entry into Europe’s largest but highly competitive banking market, as per a report by Reuters. The move follows its 2021 debut in Britain and reflects years of preparation, including extensive hiring in Germany.

The U.S. banking giant is already a major player in the German financial sector, attracted by the country’s affluent customer base, stable regulatory framework, and vibrant fintech ecosystem. However, Germany poses challenges: its banking market is fragmented, margins are thin, and local incumbents dominate consumer banking. Deutsche Bank is still restructuring its retail operations, while BBVA, ING, and Berlin-based N26 have already established digital platforms in the country.

Chase’s German headquarters will be in Berlin, with the bank initially offering savings accounts before rolling out additional services. JPMorgan highlighted that the launch represents a significant expansion of its century-long presence in Germany.

While executives acknowledge past failures by global banks in foreign retail markets, they argue that digital technology has shifted the landscape. CEO Jamie Dimon previously told investors that expanding retail banking abroad “is going to be a battle.”

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Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/jpmorgan-launch-digital-retail-bank-germany-2026-2025-09-04/