Andreas Framke, Arno Schuetze and Tom SimsFrankfurt — German hopes of creating a national banking champion able to challenge global competitors were dashed on Thursday when Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank ended merger talks due to the risks of doing a deal, restructuring costs and capital demands.
While the talks are over, investors doubt either bank can go it alone for long under their current strategies given their low levels of profitability. Deutsche Bank will now face pressure to make more radical changes, such as cuts to its US investment bank as advocated by regulators and some major investors. It is already looking at a deal for its asset management unit DWS.Bidders in the wings
Both UniCredit and ING Groep have expressed interest in Commerzbank, which is Germany's No 2 lender and 15% owned by the government, sources have said.UniCredit and ING declined to comment after news that talks between Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank had failed. "This was the case prior to discussions, during discussions and now – without qualification," Bundesbank executive board member Joachim Wuermeling said.
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