By Tom Sims FRANKFURT, April 22 (Reuters) - Commerzbank CEO Bettina Orlopp on Wednesday maintained her opposition to a UniCredit takeover, telling employees in a video that management does "not see a
Commerzbank CEO tells employees no convincing plan for UniCredit tie-up
Commerzbank and UniCredit: Ongoing Takeover Battle
By Tom Sims and Giuseppe Fonte
Commerzbank CEO’s Stance on UniCredit Takeover
FRANKFURT, April 22 (Reuters) - Commerzbank CEO Bettina Orlopp on Wednesday maintained her opposition to a UniCredit takeover, telling employees in a video that management does "not see a convincing combination plan", according to a transcript seen by Reuters.
The message largely mirrors a strongly worded statement earlier this week that rejected the Italian bank's escalating advances in what has become an intensifying battle for ownership of one of Germany's biggest lenders.
Concerns Over UniCredit’s Approach
"The alleged benefits of UniCredit’s approach remain vague and are far off in the future," she said in the message.
Italian Government’s Position
Meanwhile in Rome, Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said on Wednesday that he viewed positively the Milanese bank's plans to expand in Germany.
Support for Expansion, Opposition to Head Office Move
"It is an ambitious project" with "important" economic fundamentals, he said after a cabinet meeting, but noted the government would oppose any decision by UniCredit to move its head office to Germany.
Escalation of the Impasse
The months-long impasse between the two banks appeared to deepen earlier this week, when UniCredit, which has built up a nearly 30% stake in Commerzbank, laid out a strategy that CEO Andrea Orcel said would improve the German bank's performance.
UniCredit’s Critique of Commerzbank’s Performance
Commerzbank's "current trajectory will put at risk its survival in the medium term," Orcel said in his bluntest assessment since he began building the Commerzbank stake in September 2024.
Historical Underperformance
"The history of Commerzbank is a story of continued operating underperformance," he said.
Rejection by Commerzbank and Stakeholders
Commerzbank management, employees and the German government have rejected the approach, describing it as hostile.
Impact on Stakeholder Trust
"One thing is clear: a takeover attempt pursued in this manner undermines the trust of all our bank's stakeholders – and we therefore reject it," she said in her video.
(Reporting by Tom Sims, editing by Thomas Seythal, Madeline Chambers and Louise Heavens)
