Deutsche Hypo names head of new Berlin office

Germany’s Deutsche Hypothekenbank has hired Alexander Firsching (pictured) to lead its new operation in Berlin.

Firsching, who has more than 20 years of experience in the property market and financing, joins from financial services group SEB where he was head of real estate finance for Germany.

He previously worked at SveaImmobilien in Berlin, HSH Nordbank in Hamburg and Stockholm, and CB Richard Ellis AB in Stockholm.

“By recruiting Firsching, we have gained an extremely experienced acquirer who is very well connected, particularly in the Berlin market,” said Andreas Pohl, chairman of the board of managing directors of Deutsche Hypo.

“He will inject fresh momentum into our efforts to generate new business and play an important role in helping us achieve our new business targets in future as well.”

The bank’s new office is in the Kranzler Eck building in Kurfürstendamm. In addition to Hanover, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich, Berlin is now the sixth city in Germany where Deutsche Hypo has established a presence.

“Our new branch will make it easier for us to step up contact with our clients in Berlin and the surrounding area, and to attract new clients,” Pohl said.

In its first-half 2017 results, Deutsche Hypo reported a 20 percent increase in new business in Germany, with property lending totalling €1.31 billion. The focus of new domestic lending was office and retail, with selective financing of hotels and logistics.