'Berlin not in favour of Commerzbank takeover'

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 23 - The German government "supports Commerzbank's strategy of independence", German finance ministry sources told ANSA on Monday after Italian lender UniCredit said it had increased its stake in the German bank to 21%, fuelling speculation of a takeover.
    "We have acknowledged UniCredit's actions.
    "We are not in favour of an acquisition.
    "We have communicated this to UniCredit", the sources said.
    UniCredit announced in a note on Monday that it had acquired an additional 11.5% stake in the bank through financial instruments after acquiring a 9% stake earlier this month.
    Italy's second-largest lender also said that it has sought the European Central Bank's green light to raise its stake to 29.9 %. (ANSA).