Commerzbank remains on track for a record year after reporting a net profit of €859 million for the third quarter of 2026, a rise of more than 45% from the same period a year earlier. Germany’s second-largest publicly listed bank announced the results in Frankfurt.
For the first nine months, the bank’s profit increased by more than 40% to around €2.7 billion, its strongest result for that period in the company’s history. Chief Executive Bettina Orlopp said the performance showed the potential within Commerzbank. The board is continuing to target a record full-year profit of at least €3.4 billion.
The results come as UniCredit advances its plan to take over Commerzbank, having secured access to nearly half of its shares. Orlopp has said the two banks should consider together what the right path forward would be.
UniCredit, which already operates in Germany through HypoVereinsbank, has pointed to potential savings worth billions of euros. Chief Executive Andrea Orcel has also proposed reducing Commerzbank’s international network. The German government, which holds just over 13% of Commerzbank, has called for the bank to remain an important lender to small and medium-sized businesses. Orcel has said combining the banks’ strengths would not mean doing less for German companies. UniCredit expects further approvals for its takeover plan in the coming weeks.
Sources: Handelsblatt.