Germany’s chancellor decried “unfriendly attacks” on banks after UniCredit moved to raise its stake in the lender.

If the deal wins approval, it will make the Italian bank Commerzbank's largest shareholder - to the dismay of the German government. View on euronews

Italian government officials are growing frustrated at Germany’s opposition to a potential takeover of Commerzbank AG by Milan-based UniCredit Spa, threatening to disrupt the delicate diplomatic relations between Berlin and Rome.