What about the information on sustainability criteria? “Greenwashing” allegations against DWS have been circulating for months.
Searches at Deutsche Bank and its fund subsidiary DWS: Around 50 emergency services from the public prosecutor’s office, Bafin financial supervisory authority and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) paid a visit to the two headquarters in Frankfurt on Tuesday.
According to the Frankfurt Public Prosecutor’s Office, the allegation of capital investment fraud has not yet been identified. The investigators therefore inspected both the premises of DWS and Deutsche Bank. The Bloomberg news agency had previously reported on the searches.
Environmental and climate protection
The background to the measure are “greenwashing” allegations against DWS that have been circulating for months. According to this, the asset manager is said to have overestimated the information on sustainability criteria and in truth not have progressed as far as stated on issues such as environmental and climate protection. The investigations were started last year by DWS’ former sustainability officer, Desiree Fixler.
A spokesman for DWS confirmed the searches and confirmed on request: “We have worked continuously and extensively with all relevant regulatory authorities on this matter and will continue to do so.” Deutsche Bank referred to the DWS statement and also stated in writing: “The measures taken by the public prosecutor’s office are directed against unknown persons in connection with greenwashing allegations made against DWS.”
