Deutsche Bank has been caught up in a scandal over allegations it spied on non executives

Deutsche Bank, the biggest bank in Germany, is under investigation after it emerged that the bank hired private investigators to spy on board members, reported the Financial Times.

The investigation is the latest in a series of scandals involving top German companies, said the paper.

Data protection authorities have reportedly asked prosecutors to establish whether to open a criminal investigation as the bank continues an inquiry into possible unauthorised surveillance of some non executive directors.

‘The affair risks damaging the reputation of the bank, especially in Germany, where corporate snooping and unauthorised use of data are viewed with particular hostility given the country’s history,’ said the FT story.