Commerzbank CEO Calls UniCredit's €35 Billion Takeover Bid a 'Surprise' and 'Very Low Price'

Mar 17, 2026 08:21 UTC

CBK.DE, UCG.DE, ^STOXX50, XFLR.DE, BAYN.DE

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Commerzbank CEO Bettina Orlopp dismissed UniCredit's €35 billion bid as unexpected and undervalued, signaling potential resistance to the takeover and raising uncertainty in European banking markets.

UniCredit made a €35 billion takeover bid for Commerzbank.
The bid was described as a 'surprise' by Commerzbank CEO Bettina Orlopp.
Orlopp called the offer a 'very low price'.
Commerzbank plans to focus on its own profitability strategy.
The announcement has heightened uncertainty in European financial markets.
Stocks like CBK.DE and UCG.DE are likely to experience volatility.

Commerzbank's CEO, Bettina Orlopp, described UniCredit's €35 billion takeover proposal as a 'surprise' during an interview on Bloomberg Television. The bid, valued at approximately $40 billion, marks a significant development in the European financial sector. Orlopp emphasized that the offer represents a 'very low price,' suggesting the company views the valuation as insufficient. She confirmed that Commerzbank will continue to prioritize its internal strategy, particularly efforts to accelerate profitability. The unexpected nature of the bid has introduced uncertainty into the market, with investors closely watching the next moves from both banks. The potential for a contested acquisition could trigger volatility across European financial stocks, especially in major indices like the ^STOXX50, and affect bank-related ETFs and equities such as XFLR.DE and BAYN.DE.