As Metzler Bank celebrates its 350th anniversary, its deep-rooted history of family ownership continues to shape its vision of long-term partnerships, particularly with Japan.
“For 350 years, the needs of clients have been the focus of Metzler Bank’s activities. With entrepreneurship, independence and humanity, the company has safely survived wars, crises and revolutions and is still a constant for its clients in the national and international financial business,” said Gerhard Wiesheu, CEO of B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG. “We have been present in Tokyo since 2001, and our clients appreciate the history of our bank and the values we stand for.”
As ties between Japan and Germany continue to strengthen, Wiesheu sees immense potential for growth in the financial sector. “Japanese companies are increasingly investing abroad, driven by demographic changes shrinking their domestic market. Acquisitions in Germany or cooperations with German companies are particularly attractive due to similar industrial structures, especially in sectors like automotive and pharmaceuticals,” he explained. Metzler’s understanding of both cultures makes it a valuable partner in facilitating cross-border investments.
Metzler’s involvement extends beyond finance. Its support for cultural initiatives, such as the Nippon Connection Film Festival, underscores its commitment to fostering cultural diplomacy. “In Japan, business relationships are built on trust and take time to develop. Japanese business culture emphasizes respect, humility, and harmony. A focus on long-term commitment rather than short-term gains is critical. We at Metzler know that maintaining a stable, trustworthy presence is essential for building strong, lasting relationships,” Wiesheu said.
In Japan, business relationships are built on trust and take time to develop. Japanese business culture emphasizes respect, humility, and harmony. A focus on long-term commitment rather than short-term gains is critical. We at Metzler know that maintaining a stable, trustworthy presence is essential for building strong, lasting relationships.
Gerhard Wiesheu, Chief Executive Officer of B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG
Looking ahead, Metzler is focused on expanding its services for Japanese and German institutional investors. “Relations between Germany and Japan are close and friendly — and immensely important both economically and politically,” Wiesheu noted. He said his visit to Japan with the German government in 2022, where he held talks with Japanese ministers and business leaders, was “very fruitful.”
“In the future, we can also make a decisive contribution to connecting the German and Japanese economies,” he added.
Metzler offers asset management services through its Tokyo-based subsidiary, Metzler Asset Management (Japan) Ltd., and advises Japanese companies on mergers and acquisitions in the German market. “This will be an unparalleled honor and joy for me.”
As Metzler Bank celebrates its 350th anniversary, how has your long history of family ownership shaped the bank’s vision and approach to long-term partnerships, particularly with Japan?
“For 350 years, the needs of clients have been the focus of Metzler Bank’s activities. With entrepreneurship, independence and humanity, the company has safely survived wars, crises and revolutions and is still a constant for its clients in the national and international financial business. Bankhaus Metzler and its approximately 800 employees stand for security, foresight and stability.
We always look to the future, this has characterized Metzler for 350 years and has carried us through all challenges and enabled us to seize opportunities. Our clients rely on these skills, especially in Japan. We focus on this and continue to develop consistently. At the same time, we are not interested in quick profits, but in long-term and deep relationships with our clients. We have been present in Tokyo since 2001, and our clients appreciate the history of our bank and the values we stand for.”
With over a century of strong ties to Japan and a recent ‘renewed vigor’ in German-Japanese relations, how do you see these connections evolving in the next five to ten years, especially in the financial sector?
“Japanese companies have been investing more and more abroad in recent years. Due to demographic developments, the Japanese population is shrinking every year – and the domestic market is shrinking accordingly. Japanese companies therefore need to expand their business abroad. Acquisitions in Germany or cooperations with German companies are particularly attractive because the industrial structure of both countries is very similar. We see this, for example, in the automotive sector or in the pharmaceutical industry, where the quality of production is similarly high.
One of the reasons for this may be that the cultural values are very similar. Values such as accuracy are equally important in both cultures. Banks like ours play a crucial role here. This is exactly where Metzler comes in: Due to our ties with Japan and our understanding of German and Japanese culture, we are a very good partner for connecting companies and the economies of both countries.”
Your involvement in cultural initiatives like the Nippon Connection film festival demonstrates Metzler’s commitment beyond business. How important is cultural diplomacy in enhancing the business relationship between Germany and Japan?
“It requires a strong basis of trust that has grown over the long term. Our company has in-depth knowledge of the Japanese market. And above all, we have trustworthy access to Japanese companies in all sectors and in the required depth over many decades. Our corporate values of independence, entrepreneurship, and humanity, coupled with a long history and long-term business policy orientation, are viewed very positively in Japan and therefore make a significant contribution to our business success there.
Our corporate values of independence, entrepreneurship, and humanity, coupled with a long history and long-term business policy orientation, are viewed very positively in Japan and therefore make a significant contribution to our business success there.
I personally believe that these values are firmly rooted in the cultures of both Japan and Germany. Since my first visit to Japan in 1981, this fascinating country has made a number of indelible impressions on me. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity of living there for 10 years and to meet many impressive people. Even after returning to my home country of Germany, I maintained my close relationship with Japan, both publicly and privately. And it is the same today.”
What key lessons has Metzler learned from its long-standing partnership with Japan that could benefit other institutions looking to build similar relationships?
“As CEO of a bank operating both in Germany and Japan, I would highlight several key lessons. In Japan, business relationships are built on trust and take time to develop. Japanese business culture emphasizes respect, humility, and harmony. A focus on long-term commitment rather than short-term gains is critical. Japanese partners value consistency, reliability, and the willingness to invest time in understanding their unique business culture. We at Metzler know that maintaining a stable, trustworthy presence is essential for building strong, lasting relationships. At the same time, cultural exchange is very important. Germany and Japan share many values. At Metzler, we can talk to our Japanese clients on an equal footing and thus deliver great added value.”
Given the current global economic trends and increasing Japanese investment in Germany, what specific strategies is Metzler implementing to attract and support Japanese institutional investors, and how do you envision the bank facilitating cross-border investments and collaborations between the two countries?
“Relations between Germany and Japan are close and friendly – and immensely important both economically and politically. On this basis, Germany and Japan want to deepen their relations and promote them through regular talks. I had the honor of visiting Japan together with the German government in 2022 and holding talks with Japanese ministers and business representatives. The exchange was very fruitful and the government consultations are a strong sign of good relations between the two countries.
Relations between Germany and Japan are close and friendly – and immensely important both economically and politically. On this basis, Germany and Japan want to deepen their relations and promote them through regular talks.
In the future, we can also make a decisive contribution to connecting the German and Japanese economies. Metzler offers services to Japanese and German institutional investors through its subsidiary Metzler Asset Management (Japan) Ltd. in Tokyo, since 2001. In addition to asset management services, Metzler advises Japanese companies on M&A transactions in the German market – both sell-side and buy-side mandates. Last but not least, clients from Japan are accompanied in their real estate investments in the USA and Germany.
The purpose of our establishment in 2001 was to provide Japanese customers with global investment strategies and services as an independent partner worthy of trust and with investment advisory business experience developed over many years. In the future, we will continue to expand our personal relationships, provide our customers with excellent financial services and business opportunities in Japan, and strive to develop a collaborative relationship between Japan and Germany in various areas – this will be an unparalleled honor and joy for me.”
