Headlines
UniCredit gets German cartel office nod on big Commerzbank stake
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 14, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 24, 2026
Global Banking & Finance Review®
Company
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 14, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 24, 2026
UniCredit has received German antitrust approval to increase its stake in Commerzbank to 29.99%, following ECB approval. Commerzbank seeks to remain independent.
DUESSELDORF/FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Germany's antitrust authorities on Monday waved through UniCredit's plans for a major stake in Commerzbank, removing a further obstacle to the Italian lender's ambition to take over its German competitor.
The move by the Federal Cartel Office was expected and follows a similar stamp of approval from the European Central Bank earlier this year.
Monday's ruling allows UniCredit to own a stake of just under 30% of Commerzbank shares, compared with UniCredit's current holding of around 9.5%.
UniCredit last year disclosed that it had built a web of financial transactions through derivatives to secure a Commerzbank stake of around 28%, pending the regulatory approval, and that it ultimately desired a 29.9% stake.
"UniCredit may acquire 29.99% of Commerzbank," the cartel office said.
Commerzbank, which has been working to maintain its independence, said that the approval doesn't change the fundamental situation.
"UniCredit continues to be a shareholder of Commerzbank," Commerzbank said.
(Reporting by Matthias Inverardi and Tom SimsEditing by Miranda Murray)
The article discusses UniCredit receiving approval to increase its stake in Commerzbank.
UniCredit aims to hold a 29.99% stake in Commerzbank.
Yes, the European Central Bank had previously approved the stake increase.
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