UniCredit Nears Takeover of Commerzbank with 47.59% Stake
UniCredit's bid to take over Commerzbank is nearing its final stages. The Italian lender has acquired an additional 17.60% of shares, pushing its total stake in Commerzbank to 47.59%. This leaves it just a fraction away from the threshold that would give UniCredit outright voting dominance.
The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to make a decision on the takeover by the fourth quarter of 2026. However, its verdict is not yet certain. While the ECB's supervisory arm has signaled a forthcoming approval, it has also flagged 'grave risks' stemming from heightened concentration in Germany's banking market.
Commerzbank's management has been confident about the takeover, citing the bank's strong operational performance. The second-quarter net profit came in at €898 million after tax, with return on equity for the first half reaching 12.6% - comfortably ahead of the bank's own target. UniCredit has targeted completion of the full transaction by the fourth quarter of 2026.