It's been confirmed that Germany's largest bank, Deutsche Bank, is on the verge of a nine-billion dollar deal to buy Bankers Trust -- the eighth largest American investment bank.

A joint statement in New York said they were in the advanced stages of negotiations and final approval of the take-over was expectedat separate board meetings next weekend.

Correspondents say that if the deal is successful it would be the largest acquisition of an American financial institution by a European bank.