Market Chatter: German Regulator Reportedly Allows UniCredit to Proceed with Commerzbank Bid

12:15 PM EDT, 08/04/2026 (MT Newswires) -- German financial regulator Bafin allowed UniCredit (UCG.MI) to proceed with its application to hold over 30% of Commerzbank (CBK.F), Bloomberg News reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Bafin subsequently referred the matter to the European Central Bank for a formal evaluation and final decision, according to the report. The ECB has 60 working days to complete its assessment. In a statement sent to MT Newswires, Bafin said it does not comment on individual companies, adding that it is subject to legal confidentiality obligations. UniCredit, Commerzbank and the ECB did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)