Italy's UniCredit on Tuesday posted a much higher than expected profit for the first quarter and improved its outlook for the year, as it kicked off a takeover offer for Commerzbank in defiance of strong German opposition to a merger.
Commerzbank is planning further job cuts as part of its updated strategy as Italy's UniCredit escalates its advances for a takeover, Handelsblatt reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
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.
Neils Christensen has a diploma in journalism from Lethbridge College and has more than a decade of reporting experience working for news organizations throughout Canada. His experiences include covering territorial and federal politics in Nunavut, Canada.
UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel discusses the status of the lender's bid to buy Commerzbank. The Italian bank is already the largest investor in Commerzbank and currently owns just under 30% in it.
UniCredit unveiled far-reaching plans for a tie-up between the Italian lender and long-term target Commerzbank Monday. A combination of UniCredit and Commerzbank would "propel" the German lender and unlock significant cross-border value and investment firepower, UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel said.
The Italian bank—Commerzbank's largest shareholder—outlined the detail of its approach to value creation and described the bank's story as one of operating underperformance.
UniCredit on Monday will outline the details of "an approach to value creation" for Germany's Commerzbank Commerzbank , the Italian bank said, adding it believed the German lender is insufficiently prepared for future challenges and is overly focused on short-term delivery.
Commerzbank Chairman and CEO Bettina Orlopp says that the growth outlook for Europe and Germany has weakened Click Here
Italian bank UniCredit said the uncertainty arising from an integration with Commerzbank could cause employees "with fundamental institutional knowledge" to leave, potentially leading to client loss for both lenders.
Commerzbank (CRZBY) witnessed a jump in share price last session on above-average trading volume. The latest trend in earnings estimate revisions for the stock doesn't suggest further strength down the road.
Neils Christensen has a diploma in journalism from Lethbridge College and has more than a decade of reporting experience working for news organizations throughout Canada. His experiences include covering territorial and federal politics in Nunavut, Canada.