Investing.com -- UniCredit, Italy's second-largest bank by assets, has raised its stake in German rival Commerzbank (ETR:CBKG) to 28%, nearing the 30% threshold that would trigger a mandatory takeover bid under German regulations.
This move builds on UniCredit's previous efforts to increase its holdings in Commerzbank and reignites expectations of a potential mandatory takeover offer for the lender.
On Wednesday, UniCredit announced it had acquired additional financial contracts tied to Commerzbank shares as part of its ongoing process to increase its stake to as much as 29.9%. UniCredit has been showing interest in Commerzbank since September, when it initially disclosed a stake in the German group and expressed interest in a potential merger.
Following this, it further raised its shareholding through the same mechanism of entering into financial contracts tied to Commerzbank shares.
UniCredit's Chief Executive, Andrea Orcel, has been working towards a merger to expand UniCredit's presence in Germany and extend into Poland. However, political opposition from the German government, which holds a 12% stake in Commerzbank, and upcoming elections have delayed this process.
The current stake comprises 9.5% direct ownership and approximately 18.5% through derivatives, according to UniCredit. In a statement, the bank asserted that this move strengthens its belief in the substantial value within Commerzbank that needs to be realized.
Commerzbank, a crucial lender for small and medium-sized companies that has consistently supported its standalone strategy, did not comment on this development. The group is set to present details of its new strategy in February.
Its shares rose as much as 4% at the European market open following the news.
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