Former Deutsche Bank Trader Loses Bonus Lawsuit

LONDON (Reuters) – A former Deutsche Bank trader, Shikha Gupta, lost her lawsuit against the bank for over 2.6 million pounds ($3.4 million) regarding an unpaid individual bonus from nearly a decade ago.

Gupta worked until 2017 for Deutsche Bank’s non-core operating unit, established after the 2008 financial crisis to streamline operations. She claimed to have helped dispose of billions in assets, particularly aiding in a $7.2 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2016 concerning pre-crisis mortgage-backed securities sales.

During the June trial at London’s High Court, her lawyers argued that Gupta was an exceptional employee promised a substantial individual bonus but only received 21,250 pounds in a team bonus for 2016.

Deutsche Bank countered that no formal guarantee was made. The bank’s attorneys noted it was laying off over 9,000 employees—nearly 10% of its workforce—and could not afford to pay Gupta’s claimed bonus.

Judge Catherine Howells dismissed Gupta’s lawsuit, stating she did not find evidence that Gupta was assured an individual bonus and deemed the bank was justified in its choice due to financial constraints.

A Deutsche Bank spokesperson welcomed the court’s ruling. Gupta’s legal representatives did not provide comments upon request.