INDUSTRY
Crisis tests PBs’ commitment to clients and markets: DB WM’s Lynn Hermijanto
The pandemic may have wrought unprecedented challenges to the world economy, but Lynn Hermijanto believes that this is the time for a truly committed private bank to shine by ‘handing the umbrella to clients in rainy days’. “There’s a saying that goes: ‘Never waste a crisis’,” explained Lynn Hermijanto, managing director, Southeast Asia wealth management coverage at Deutsche Bank Wealth Management in an interfview with Asian Private Banker. “One of the things of which we are really proud, in terms of helping clients this year, is the fact that when things were in total flux — with fear stricken people working from home, and credit markets dislocated — we were able to put together a US$600 million financing package in six weeks for a Singapore client who was looking to refinance a large commercial real estate asset in the US.” Lynn Hermijanto, Deutsche Bank “It required us to be extremely client-centric, working with the real estate team in the US and the credit team in London — in addition to connecting to colleagues in investment banking, as well as coordinating
work with external legal and tax counsels.” Hermijanto vividly remembers the circumstances in which the transaction was done: “It was at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City in March. The market was at the pinnacle of distress, and yet our team was relentlessly trying to bring together a solution for the client.” She continued: “Another notable win was a complex US$700 million structured bridge loan facility we packaged and syndicated for an Indonesian name. At the heart of all we do, we aim to work together, across divisional lines, coming together as a team to deliver real impact and tailored solutions to key clients. We are absolutely focused on onebank delivery at Deutsche Bank.” What shines through during the hour-long conversation, is Hermijanto’s passion for her work — the meticulous details of how to nurture longterm relationships in the exquisite circle of UHNW families in Southeast Asia; her intricate web of connections with teams across the entire 49
