Finance
German Experts Speak Out in Favor of Commerzbank Takeover by UniCredit
- UniCredit is eyeing an acquisition after building a 21% stake
- Support coming amid Berlin’s opposition to a potential deal
UniCredit last month rapidly built up a 21% stake in Commerzbank.
Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
A growing number of German experts are voicing support for a possible acquisition of Commerzbank AG by a rival, potentially adding pressure on the government to soften its stance in response to a recent approach from UniCredit SpA.
Germany’s banks need to grow to be “reliable partners” for small- and medium-sized companies, said Christoph Ahlhaus, head of the business association Mittelstand. “If, in the case of Commerzbank, a merger with another European bank contributes to this, we welcome it,” he said.