A Commerzbank AG financial institution department, within the monetary district of Frankfurt, Germany, on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
Krisztian Bocsi | Bloomberg | Getty Photos
Commerzbank and UniCredit are set to start talks Friday, with the German financial institution on the defensive over a possible takeover after its Italian counterpart unexpectedly elevated its stake earlier this month.
Incoming Commerzbank Chief Govt Bettina Orlopp on Thursday mentioned the 2 banks would “exchange views” Friday, Reuters reported. Talking at a monetary convention, Orlopp mentioned the German financial institution was open minded, however that the pace of synergies and dangers wanted to be thought of.
UniCredit earlier this month took a 9% stake in Commerzbank, earlier than seeking to enhance it to 21% earlier this week and placing in a request to carry as a lot as a 29.9% stake within the German financial institution, hinting at a possible takeover bid. The motion took the German authorities, which additionally owns a stake within the financial institution, and the administration of Commerzbank abruptly.
Orlopp mentioned Thursday she wouldn’t get entangled with “crazy” sell-downs or “stupid things,” in line with Reuters.
A ten-year veteran of Commerzbank, Orlopp was introduced Tuesday because the incoming CEO, changing Manfred Knof who is about to depart the financial institution on the finish of this month.
Her feedback on Thursday got here because the financial institution’s board of managing administrators and supervisory board unanimously mentioned they supported Commerzbank’s present technique at an annual assembly. Germany’s second-largest lender mentioned in a Thursday assertion that the implementation of its technique plans till 2027 was “progressing rapidly.”
“Commerzbank is continuously expanding its independent position as a strong pillar in the German banking market and a reliable partner to the domestic economy,” Jens Weidmann, chairman of the supervisory board, commented.
The assertion additionally famous that the board of managing administrators was now anticipating the financial institution’s return on tangible fairness and payouts to shareholders to be greater than thus far anticipated.
The potential for a takeover or merger has been met with opposition from Germany’s authorities and several other senior figures at Commerzbank. Supervisory board member Stefan Wittmann this week advised CNBC he hoped a hostile takeover may very well be averted, and mentioned main job losses may happen if it turned a actuality.
Some buyers nonetheless have in latest days steered they might be open to talks a couple of potential merger.
Orlopp herself earlier this month advised journalists that the method had taken Commerzbank abruptly, however urged a relaxed strategy.
