Deals
Germany's Two Shrinking Banks May Get Closer to a Merger
- Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank are said to intensify merger talks
- Both are struggling to deliver on their turnaround plans
This article is for subscribers only.
A merger of Deutsche Bank AG and Commerzbank AG is shaping up as the most likely endgame as Germany’s largest listed lenders are running out of time to show they can grow as standalone companies.
The banks are intensifying informal talks as their turnaround efforts sputter, according to a person familiar with the matter. While there’s no formal mandate to pursue a merger and other options are still being considered, Deutsche Bank Chief Executive Officer Christian Sewing has given up his resistance to doing a deal this year, according to the person, who asked not to be identified in disclosing internal deliberations.