After the financial crisis, dealmaking among banks in different countries in Europe fell to a standstill. But recently, Italian lender UniCredit revealed that it had built up a stake in Germany’s Commerzbank, prompting discussions of a possible tie-up. EU policymakers and politicians believe cross-border deals like this could unlock European banking and make it more competitive globally. So why is there resistance? The FT’s European banking correspondent Owen Walker explains.

Clips from Bloomberg, BBC

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For further reading:

Andrea Orcel plots UniCredit’s boldest move yet on Commerzbank

Andrea Orcel, Commerzbank and the redemption trade

Europe’s most notorious banking dealmaker returns

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On X, follow Owen Walker (@OwenWalker0) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07), or follow Michela on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Could Italy’s UniCredit reignite European banking? 18:40 Share

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Could Italy’s UniCredit reignite European banking?