Hilmar Kopper: A Life of Leadership

Hilmar Kopper was a German banker who served as the chairman of Deutsche Bank from 1989 to 1999.

He was born on May 28, 1925.

Kopper's leadership played a significant role in the bank's growth during his tenure.

He was a key figure in shaping the bank's strategy and direction.

Kopper's experience in the banking industry spanned over five decades, with a strong focus on international trade finance.

Hilmar Kopper was born in Osłonino, Poland, to a Mennonite family. His family was expelled after World War II.

Kopper's family could only afford academic education for one child, so his elder brother received it. He became a trainee at Deutsche Bank in 1954.

Kopper spent his entire career at Deutsche Bank, starting at a regional branch in Köln-Mülheim. He was sent to the J. Henry Schroder Banking Corp. in New York City.

In 1972, Kopper became a member of the board of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank AG (German-Asian Bank). He was promoted to General Representative that same year.

Kopper succeeded Alfred Herrhausen as chairman of Deutsche Bank in 1989, after Herrhausen's terrorist murder. He held the position until 1997.

During his tenure, Kopper redesigned Deutsche Bank to become a global player. He then became chairman of the supervisory board until 2002.

Kopper chaired the supervisory board of DaimlerChrysler from 1998 to 2007.

Hilmar Kopper was a prolific writer, as evident from his publication history. He wrote "Die Bank lebt nicht vom Geld allein : Beiträge zu Kultur und Gesellschaft 1994–1997", a book published in 1997 by Piper in German.

This book, with an ISBN of 3-492-22584-5 and an OCLC number of 45050456, is a notable contribution to the field of culture and society.

If you're interested in Hilmar Kopper's work, you'll want to check out his book "Die Bank lebt nicht vom Geld allein : Beiträge zu Kultur und Gesellschaft 1994–1997".

This German book was published in 1997 by Piper in Munich, Germany.

The book's ISBN number is 3-492-22584-5, and its OCLC number is 45050456.

Writing an obituary can be a meaningful way to honor someone who has passed away, and it's a great way to share their story with others.

The first step is to gather information about the person, including their name, age, and cause of death.

A typical obituary includes a brief summary of the person's life, including their accomplishments and any notable achievements.

For example, the obituary of a well-known scientist might mention their groundbreaking research or awards they received.

The tone of an obituary should be respectful and dignified, avoiding any negative or sensational language.

In some cases, an obituary may also include information about funeral services or memorial events.

Hilmar Kopper held various positions of responsibility, including his role as Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender, or supervisory board chairman, at HSH Nordbank.

He was the chairman of the supervisory board at HSH Nordbank, where he negotiated a settlement with the bank's former CEO, Dirk Jens Nonnenmacher, in December 2010. Kopper agreed to pay Nonnenmacher a 4 million euro bonus, which sparked controversy.

The settlement was widely criticized, with Wolfgang Kubicki, the FDP Fraktionschef, calling it a clear case of wrongdoing and a potential breach of trust. Gerhard Strate, a Hamburg-based lawyer, also criticized the deal, saying it only served the interests of Nonnenmacher and not the bank or the states.

In a related development, Kopper was forced to step down as Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender in January 2013, following the controversy surrounding his handling of the settlement.

As we explore the world of Ehrenämter and Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender, it's interesting to note that some individuals hold multiple honorary titles.

One such example is the person who has been the Vorsitzender des Vorstands der Vereinigung von Freunden und Förderern der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main e. V. from October 2001 to March 2010.

This person has also been recognized with an honorary title, becoming Ehrensenator of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main on September 22, 2010.

This highlights the significance of honorary titles and their impact on an individual's career and reputation.

As an Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender, Hilmar Kopper was in charge of overseeing the HSH Nordbank. He was the chairman of the supervisory board.

Kopper made headlines in 2010 when he negotiated an early retirement deal with the bank's CEO, Dirk Jens Nonnenmacher. The deal included a 4 million Euro payout.

This decision sparked controversy, with some questioning whether it was in the best interest of the bank. Wolfgang Kubicki, the FDP-Fraktionschef from Schleswig-Holstein, called it a clear case of overstepping, potentially even a crime.

Gerhard Strate, a Hamburg-based expert on criminal law, agreed, stating that the deal only benefited Nonnenmacher, not the bank or the public.

Hilmar Kopper's start in the banking business was uneventful, but it laid the foundation for his future success. He began his career as an apprentice in a branch of the Rheinisch-Westfälische Bank in Köln-Mülheim.

The bank later merged with Deutsche Bank, and Kopper's career path was set in motion. He started his training in 1954 and found the first few days to be "entsetzlich" or terrifying.

In 1957, Kopper was sent to New York as a trainee, marking a significant milestone in his career. After returning to Germany, he began his ascent through the ranks of Deutsche Bank.

Kopper's lack of formal education is notable, as he never completed a university degree.