Angela Merkel Shorts Deutsche Bank

BERLIN — Deutsche Bank has spent much of the past two weeks blaming its spiraling share price on foreign media “speculation” that it would have to pay a $14 billion fine in connection with its role in the U.S. housing crisis. In private, German bankers identify a culprit closer to home — Angela Merkel. Given the opportunity to douse rumors that Berlin was not prepared to jump to Deutsche’s rescue last week if need be, the German leader stayed mum.