The likelihood of Deutsche Bank needing a bailout by the German government is slim, according to banks analysts – but the alternative of “having a sick bank limping on” is also problematic for Europe’s financial system.

Deutsche's shares tanked after The Wall Street Journal reported on September 15 that the US Justice Department wanted the bank to pay $14 billion to settle a probe linked to the sale of mortgage securities in the run-up to the 2008 financial crisis.