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Commerzbank, UniCredit shares fall as Germany prepares to keep 12% stake

Shares of Commerzbank and UniCredit fell on Monday after the German government said that it would maintain its 12% stake in the German bank for now in a relocation that will likely keep any merger with the Italian loan provider on hold.

Late on Friday, Germany's Finance Agency said the state will not offer any more shares in Commerzbank for the time being and the bank's method is tailored towards independence, in the clearest sign that the federal government does not favour a takeover of the nation's second-biggest lender.

UniCredit's swoop is the most enthusiastic effort yet at a. pan-European bank merger however it faced substantial political. hurdles in Germany ahead of national elections.

Commerzbank shares were down 5% in late early morning sell. Frankfurt, while UniCredit stock was 1.6% lower in Milan.

Commerzbank's shares had gotten around 24% considering that Sept. 11,. the day that UniCredit revealed it had accumulated a 9% stake in. the German bank and revealed an interest in a merger. UniCredit. shares had gained 5%.

The announcement by the financing company, an arm of the German. finance ministry, implies that UniCredit was now unlikely to make. a takeover offer quickly, some experts said.

UniCredit's unexpected acquisition of Commerzbank shares. took Berlin by surprise and activated opposition from labour. unions and triggered a defence method from Commerzbank over. fears that a merger could result in massive task losses and suppress. lending to small and medium-sized companies.

Commerzbank, with more than 25,000 service customers,. nearly a third of German foreign trade payments and more than. 42,000 personnel, is a linchpin of the German economy.

The German federal government, which still owns 12% of Commerzbank. after selling 4.5% of its shares to UniCredit, would play a secret. function in whether any offer can occur.

Commerzbank today will convene between its. management and supervisory boards. The lender was preparing to. put the bank's financing chief, Bettina Orlopp, in charge of any. talks with UniCredit, Reuters has actually reported.

(source: Reuters)