It is exactly six years ago that the Chinese investment company Fosun presented itself as the new owner of the banking house Hauck & Aufhäuser in Frankfurt on a stage with mischievously flirting acrobats in lion costumes.
China's ambassador appealed for more German-Chinese cooperation, which caused frowns in the audience even then.
But Fosun at least kept his word with Hauck.
The previously often loss-making bank received the capital to expand into innovative business areas such as blockchain-based crypto assets and also to grow through acquisitions such as Bankhaus Lampe.
Most recently, the bank presented itself as highly profitable.
Small fish in Fosun pond
However, Hauck Aufhäuser Lampe, as the bank is now called, is a small fish in Fosun's huge investment empire.
Highly indebted, Fosun is now clearly in trouble in these times of rising interest rates and has to sell shares in an emergency.
Hauck, on the other hand, would be ready for the next step, perhaps European expansion.
This would require new owners to provide the capital.
So what could be more obvious than accepting a new investor with at least a minority stake?