Deutsche Bank said it raised €8 billion in its latest capital increase as 98.9% of share subscription rights in its rights issue were exercised — with the bank planning to sell the remaining new shares in the market.

Deutsche Bank CEO John Cryan told employees in a message that it was time for the company to focus on a topic that had been in the background for quite some time — growth.

Cryan said the United States, where investors were more positive about his company and the banking sector in general, would continue to play an important role for Deutsche Bank.

Reuters reported that Cryan’s cash call was backed by some of Deutsche Bank’s biggest shareholders including a group of Qatari investors, Blackrock and China’s HNA Group.

“Thanks to a stronger balance sheet, we have the ability to increase business,” wrote Cryan.

“We will be able to grow again in a more focused way.

“After all, it is clear that we will not succeed by shrinking further, rather we have to work together successfully with our clients – without losing sight of costs, controls and potential risks.

“None of us want to generate revenues that will need to be paid back in future, for example due to litigation costs.

“None of us want to experience a multi-billion dollar request arising from this ever again.

“Prudent growth should be our byword going forward.”

Cryan said that while many investors and analysts in Europe were “still sceptical” about the banking sector in general and about Deutsche Bank in particular, its US investors were more positive.

“They (US investors) have seen first-hand how well banks are recovering in their home market and how profitable they can be,” said Cryan.

“They expect us to turn the corner too.

“It is clear that the US will continue to play an important role for our bank.

“This is where economic growth is particularly dynamic and margins for banks remain high.

“In global terms, the US market accounts for half of the revenue pool in the financing and capital markets.

“This is why our integrated Corporate & Investment Bank, whose new structure is taking shape – Garth Ritchie and Marcus Schenck have already appointed their management teams – has, and will retain, a strong presence there.

“Wealth Management and Asset Management are also set to benefit from the attractive US market.

“My town hall in New York and meeting newly-promoted Managing Directors there last week strengthened my confidence in this regard.

“However, I am also optimistic about the markets in Asia and Europe.

“In particular, in our home of Germany, where we stand by our customers as they grow – companies and individuals, who have been our partners for generations, are performing well.

“In Germany, we provide banking services for over 20 million people and companies.

“Working groups, led by our two Private & Commercial Banking heads Christian Sewing and Frank Strauss, have already started to plan the integration of Postbank with Deutsche Bank.

“So our perspective has become much clearer: we know we have to reduce costs further – and we have demonstrated already that we are on the right path.

“On the other hand, our capital increase should eliminate any remaining doubt about Deutsche Bank’s stability.

“This is why it’s even more important to focus on a topic that has been in the background for quite some time: growth.”