Frankfurt am Main, January 9, 2026 – Dr. Lutz Raettig, long-standing president of the Frankfurt Main Finance (FMF) financial center initiative and now its honorary president, was today awarded the City of Frankfurt’s honorary plaque by Mayor Mike Josef in the Kaisersaal of Frankfurt am Main for his many years of outstanding personal and professional work. The laudatory speech was given by the former co-CEO of Deutsche Bank, Jürgen Fitschen.
Born in Berlin and educated in Bremen, Raettig studied business administration in Hamburg and graduated with a doctorate in political science. This was followed by many years in the banking industry with positions at WestLB and Commerzbank at various locations in Germany, as well as in London and New York. In 1995, he took over as CEO of Morgan Stanley Bank AG in Frankfurt. Ten years later, he moved to the institution’s supervisory board.
“With his twelve years at the helm of the Frankfurt Main Finance financial center initiative, Dr. Lutz R. Raettig has strengthened Frankfurt’s economic profile and sustainably sharpened its image as a European center for financial market regulation,” states the certificate that was also awarded. Under his aegis, Frankfurt became even more firmly established as the home of important supervisory authorities, including the European Central Bank, EIOPA, and the Deutsche Bundesbank.
As Chairman of the Stock Exchange Council of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, he shaped the development of the financial market for over 15 years and was subsequently appointed its Honorary Chairman. In his role as honorary city councilor, he served the city with a high level of expertise, integrity, and great personal commitment.
In addition to his career in economic policy, Dr. Raettig was a committed patron of the arts: he supported the Alte Oper, the Frankfurt Opera, the Schirn, and the English Theatre. Together with his wife Katherine Fürstenberg-Raettig, he contributed to the promotion of young talent on the board of trustees and in the circle of friends of the Frankfurt Opera.
Oliver Behrens, President of Frankfurt Main Finance, says: “It is an honor and a personal pleasure for me to congratulate the founding and honorary president of Frankfurt Main Finance, Dr. Lutz Raettig, from the bottom of my heart. He is receiving recognition for his work for the city and the financial center. Under his leadership as FMF president, Frankfurt has developed into the most important financial center in the EU and the European center of financial market regulation. We are all indebted to him. Lutz, thank you for your unparalleled and tireless commitment.
Copyright: City of Frankfurt am Main, Photo: Holger Menzel
