European takeover battle hots up with UniCredit’s ‘unfriendly attack’ on Commerzbank
Milan-based bank plans to up its near-30% stake in German lender to trigger formal talks despite strong opposition from BerlinTwo European banking powerhouses have become embroiled in a €35bn (£30bn) takeover battle after Italy’s UniCredit stepped up its long-running pursuit of German lender...
<p>Milan-based bank plans to up its near-30% stake in German lender to trigger formal talks despite strong opposition from Berlin</p><p>Two European banking powerhouses have become embroiled in a €35bn (£30bn) takeover battle after Italy’s UniCredit stepped up its long-running pursuit of German lender Commerzbank, despite strong opposition from the German government.</p><p>UniCredit first took a stake of 9% in Commerzbank in September 2024 and has since built up its holding to just under 30%. It said on Monday it was pushing to increase that holding further and push the rival lender into formal merger talks.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/16/european-banking-takeover-battle-unicredit-commerzbank">Continue reading...</a>
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