John O'Donnell

BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's finance minister has conveyed to Italy's Treasury his concerns about any takeover of Commerzbank by Italian lender UniCredit, two people familiar with the matter said, as Berlin looks to halt a hostile deal. Christian Lindner outlined his position to the Treasury - Italy's economy and finance ministry, led by Giancarlo Giorgetti - in tandem with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's public criticism this week of UniCredit's move to become the biggest investor in its German rival.

In this article: By John O'Donnell and Francesco Canepa

Germany is working to frustrate a possible takeover of one of its biggest banks by an Italian rival, a stance that pits Berlin against Rome and Europe's regulators, several people familiar with government and regulators' thinking told Reuters.

British financial services exports have been overtaken by other business services, such as law or advertising

European diplomats are preparing to underpin sanctions on Russia anticipating that a return of former U.S. president Donald Trump could undermine Western efforts to isolate Moscow, sources with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters.

The European Central Bank is pushing Raiffeisen and UniCredit to hold some capital as a buffer against potential risks stemming from their Russia businesses, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Commerzbank is weighing the acquisition of a mid-sized German bank as part of its strategy to fend off a possible takeover by Italy's UniCredit , three people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The United States is pursuing an inquiry into Russian clients that UBS took on when it bought Credit Suisse, three people familiar with the matter said, heightening scrutiny of one of the world's biggest wealth managers.

The European Union's General Court has rejected UniCredit's request to suspend a European Central Bank order to scale back its presence in Russia, according to a court document, in a blow to the Italian lender which has been operating in the country for over 30 years.

Ulster 19 – 22 Munster (HT: 7-5) In-form centre Tom Farrell was the saviour of Munster’s night on Friday as they snatched a 22-19 victory over Ulster in Belfast. The summer signing dotted down for three tries of his own, including a game-winner with the last play of the game to help Ian Costello’s men […]