DZ BANK Capital Markets Conference

Opportunity amid volatility: Capital markets in a new global order

Join DZ BANK, in collaboration with Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) and the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF), for the DZ BANK International Capital Markets Conference in Frankfurt on 6-8 May 2025.

Our flagship event, held in continental Europe’s principal financial hub, convenes global policymakers, politicians, business leaders and financial market practitioners to discuss the outlook for capital markets in an increasingly multipolar world.

Against a backdrop of declining multilateralism. Europe has entered 2025 with a sluggish economy, transforming transatlantic relationship and divergent global monetary policy. Compounded by risks stemming from the global political climate.

Despite the recent elections in Germany, Europe's policy uncertainty remains in focus given the absence of stable leadership in Europe's largest economies.

Moreover, Trump's second term is serving as a wake-up call for Europe to redefine its global role. Europe will seek to take leadership on climate action, develop a unified strategy to navigate Washington's trade policies and prepare for less defence support.

At the same time, uncertain geopolitics, increasing digitalisation, and greater regionalisation have put the onus on policymakers to create the conditions for the euro – which celebrated its 25th anniversary – to strengthen its international role by advancing capital markets union.

Join us to hear from global thought leaders on the opportunities and challenges as capital markets adapt to a new era of market conditions, shifting and aligning investments towards a more multipolar, digital, and sustainable economy.

Read the key findings from last year’s conference here.

The conference language will be English.

We look forward to welcoming you in Frankfurt.

May 6

May 7

May 8

11:30

Registration and lunch

12:30

Opening Remarks

Frank Scheidig, Global Head, Senior Executive Banking, DZ BANK

12:35

Welcome address

Souâd Benkredda, Member of the Board of Managing Directors, DZ BANK

12:45

Opening keynotes

Paolo Gentiloni, Prime Minister of Italy (2016-2018); European Commissioner for Economy (2019-2024)

13:20

Panel: Global economic prospects

Regional macro-outlooks for US, Europe, China, Japan, EM
Geopolitical developments impacting the macroeconomic landscape
Outlook for growth and global risks

Andrew Cross, Chief Financial Officer, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

Marcello Estevao, Managing Director; Chief Economist, Institute of International Finance

Michael Hillary, Group Executive, Financing Operations, Development Bank of Southern Africa

Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Maurice R. Greenberg Senior Fellow for China Studies, Council on Foreign Relations

Anna Rosenberg, Head, Geopolitics, Amundi Investment Institute

Jamie Rush, Chief European Economist, Bloomberg Economics

Moderator:

Sonja Marten, Head, FX and Monetary Policy Research, DZ BANK

14:20

In conversation: First 100 days of Trump 2.0

Rachel Ellehuus, Director-General, The Royal United Services Institute; Former US Defense Advisor to NATO, US Department of Defense

Christopher Smart, Managing Partner, Arbroath Group; Former Deputy Assistant Secretary, Europe and Eurasia, US Treasury

Mark Sobel, US Chairman, OMFIF

15:00

Coffee break

15:30

In conversation: Will Trump make Europe great again?

Jean-Claude Trichet, Honorary Chairman, Board of Directors, Bruegel Institute; European Chairman, Trilateral Commission; President, European Central Bank (2003-2011)

Fritzi Köhler-Geib, Member of the Executive Board, Deutsche Bundesbank

Moderator:

David Marsh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, OMFIF

16:10

Panel: Europe’s future: Navigating challenges and seizing opportunities

Future policy direction: Europe’s relationship with US, China and ROW
Future of European capital markets/Enhancing the competitiveness of the EU financial system
European common debt: Providing greater support for European public goods

Kalin Anev Janse, Chief Financial Officer; Member of the Management Board, European Stability Mechanism (ESM)

Klemen Boštjančič, Minister, Ministry of Finance, Republic of Slovenia

Sujit Kapadia, Head, Monetary Policy Strategy Division, European Central Bank

Dirk Schumacher, Chief Economist, KfW Group

Natacha Valla, Dean, School of Management and Innovation, Sciences Po

Moderator:

David Marsh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, OMFIF

17:00

In conversation: The rise of global defence spending

The outlook for the USA as NATO’s major spender
Impact of war and tensions in Ukraine and Middle East
Investors response to surging global military

Kristian Flyvholm, Chief Executive Officer, Sovereign Investors

Jan Pie, Secretary General, Aerospace, Security & Defence Industries Association of Europe

Aliki Rouffiac, Portfolio Manager, Robeco

Moderator:

Friedrich Luithlen, Head, Debt Capital Markets, DZ BANK

17:30

In Conversation: The opportunities for safeguarding energy security

The lessons learnt from Europe's energy crisis
You can't do without it: The urgent need for investing in new infrastructure for energy security
The immense strategic value of cross border interconnectivity

Vera Brenzel, Director, Public Affairs, Tennet

Eila Kreivi, Board Member, Finnvera

Dmitry Mariyasin, Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Sabrina Schulz, Director, Germany, European Initiative for Energy Security

Craig Weise, Chief Executive, GreenBridge Capital

Moderator:

Linda Zeilina, CEO, International Sustainable Finance Centre (ISFC)

18:25

Closing Remarks

Frank Scheidig, Global Head, Senior Executive Banking, DZ BANK

18:30

Bus transfer and KfW-event & dinner

Dinner Venue:
KfW
Palmengartenstraße 5-9

60325 Frankfurt am Main

Dress Code: Business attire

Shuttle service to the evening event:

Departure directly in front of the hotel

6:30 p.m.

Shuttle service back to the Westin Grand Hotel:

Departure in front of the main entrance of KfW

10:30 p.m.
11:00 p.m.