A senior investment banker at Deutsche Bank recommended earlier this year that the troubled German lender consider breaking itself up, and other long-term strategic options, to address its persistent competitive weaknesses, according to people familiar with the matter.

The proposal came from Charlie Dupree, Deutsche’s head of mergers and acquisitions in the Americas before he left for JPMorgan in June. His analysis, produced with other bankers over several months, was for internal purposes and was not intended to be made public, according to the people.