UniCredit's CEO Andrea Orcel has dismissed speculation about an aggressive takeover of Commerzbank, emphasizing a focus on their existing 9% stake and acknowledging the German bank's independence. Commerzbank's CEO Manfred Knof expressed skepticism about a merger, asserting that the bank is committed to its own strategic plan and aims to remain independent, though he is open to examining proposals that could benefit stakeholders. Orcel believes that a merger could create significant value and strengthen competition in the German banking market. He pointed out that there are minimal overlaps between the two banks, which could lead to enhanced geographic and operational synergies. Both CEOs have acknowledged previous contacts between their institutions, but neither has committed to a merger at this stage. The German government remains a significant shareholder in Commerzbank and is monitoring the situation closely.