The headquarters of German bank Commerzbank (background) and the company's logo are pictured in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on September 24, 2024. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on September 23, 2024 issued a sharp warning to UniCredit to refrain from "unfriendly" acts after the Italian bank revealed it had significantly increased its stake in Germany's Commerzbank. UniCredit said it now held a stake of around 21 percent in Germany's second-largest lender, making it the largest shareholder ahead of the German state. The move has fuelled speculation of a potential takeover, setting the stage for a clash with Berlin, which still owns 12 percent of Commerzbank. (Photo by Daniel ROLAND / AFP)