UniCredit, Commerzbank CEOs briefly spoke but did not start merger talks, source says

FRANKFURT, Aug 6 (Reuters) – The CEOs of UniCredit and Commerzbank briefly ​met on the ‌sidelines of a private event after the Italian bank secured 48% of ‌its ​German rival ⁠in a takeover ⁠bid, but their exchange did not mark the start of any ​negotiation, a source close to UniCredit ⁠said.

“They discussed the ⁠necessary accounting and ​other steps related to ​UniCredit’s taking control and ‌consolidating Commerzbank. It was not the start of any negotiation,” the ⁠person said.

UniCredit remains open to directly engage with Commerzbank ⁠stakeholders – ‌especially the German ⁠government and workers’ ​representatives – ‌as well as ​the governing ⁠bodies of Commerzbank’s Polish unit mBank, the person said.

(Reporting by Tom Sims, Writing by Valentina ​Za;)