SPEAKER: NORBERT WALTER

Chief Economist, Deutsche Bank Group

Norbert Walter is Chief Economist of Deutsche Bank Group and member of the management of Deutsche Bank research. Before his current position he was professor and director at the renowned Kiel Institute for World Economics and was a John J. McCloy Distinguished Research Fellow at the American Institute for contemporary Studies at the Johns Hopkins University in Washington, DC (1986-1987). He holds a PhD in Economics from the Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main.

As Chief Economist of Deutsche Bank Group Norbert Walter is responsible for a globally integrated approach in economic research. He is also member of the management of Deutsche Bank think tank, which covers a wide spectrum of issues ranging from economic forecasting to country rating and sector analysis. Services are rendered to the Bank's board, staff, customers and the general public. In addition to holding these responsibilities at Deutsche Bank, Professor Walter is a member of the Committee of Wise Men on the Regulation of European Securities Markets ("Lamfalussy group"). Walter is also a valued adviser to Gerhard Schroder's government.

Nobert Walter, as chief economist at the Deutsche Bank loves debate, and he will gladly hold forth on anything from the future of East German housing estates, the prospects offered by the internet, the euro or the role of the IMF. Many know him - as he says himself, like a cup of Expresso: small, dark and strong - from watching the evening news bulletins. When it is a question of explaining economic issues, editors of television news, programmes, and newspaper and magazine editors, look to the 56-year old based in Frankfurt for comment and explanation. To this extent, he is the nation's economist.