more than 8,000 people in its London offices

Financial giant Deutsche Bank is examining plans to move out of the UK if it is no longer in the European Union.

The German lender has established a working group to assess the consequences of a possible 'Brexit' following an in/out referendum, which David Cameron has pledged to hold by 2017.

It is the first major financial firm to suggest it could relocate if Britain severs ties with Brussels.

Deutsche Bank is reportedly considering moving some UK operations in the event of an EU exit

Deutsche Bank employs more than 8,000 people in the UK, including at its office in London.

A spokesman for the bank told the BBC it was 'early days and no decisions have been made'.

The Financial Times said it was the first financial giant to formally review its position and it will consider whether to move some parts of the business back to Germany.

The news comes after senior figures at building equipment firm JCB suggested the UK would not suffer any adverse effects from leaving the EU.

Lord Bamford, a Tory donor, backed the idea of Britain leaving the European Union, telling the BBC the country could exist 'peacefully and sensibly' on its own.

And JCB chief executive Graeme Macdonald told a newspaper that Britain should leave the EU unless it reforms, playing down fears that an exit could hit exports to the Continent.

He told the Guardian: 'I really don't think it would make a blind bit of difference to trade with Europe (if the UK left an unreformed EU).

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney insisted that remaining in Europe is a 'big advantage', with the EU acting as the 'largest investor' in the UK economy

'There has been far too much scaremongering about things like jobs. I don't think it's in anyone's interest to stop trade. I don't think we or Brussels will put up trade barriers.'

The Tories have promised to renegotiate Britain's EU membership, clawing back powers on benefits, before holding a referendum by the end of 2017.

Since Mr Cameron's surprise election victory, it has been suggested the vote could be brought forward to next year.

Industry leaders including the CBI have called for the referendum to be held early 'because two and a half years of uncertainty isn’t good for growth and investment'.

Last week the Bank of England warned the threat of a referendum was causing 'uncertainty' for business.

Governor Mark Carney also insisted that remaining in Europe is a 'big advantage', with the EU acting as the 'largest investor' in the UK economy.

In carefully-chosen comments designed to avoid a political row, he said Mr Cameron should hold his planned vote on EU membership 'as soon as necessary'.

But Mr Carney raised the concerns of business, as he highlighted Britain's economic reliance on Europe.

Asked if the prospect of a referendum had resulted in uncertainty among business bosses, Mr Carney told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'We talk to a lot of bosses and there has been an awareness of some of this political uncertainty - whether because of the election or because of the referendum.