Lindner against a quick exit: the federal government will initially retain Commerzbank shares

Finance Minister Lindner is not planning a quick federal exit from Commerzbank. He stressed that the government is very satisfied with the development of the bank. There is no reason for a quick decision.

Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner is not aiming for a quick sale of the state’s stake in Commerzbank. That’s what the FDP politician, who was connected via video, said at the “Handelsblatt” bank conference in Frankfurt. “The federal government is very satisfied with the development of Commerzbank,” explained Linder. The money house is particularly important for the financing of small and medium-sized businesses.

“We have no legal or other obligation to make quick decisions about Commerzbank, but we want this bank to develop well in the German financial center because we know its important role,” emphasized Lindner. The government is not under pressure to make a quick decision. It is therefore not the day for speculation.

The federal government is the institute’s largest single shareholder

With a stake of 15.6 percent, the federal government is the largest single shareholder in Commerzbank. In 2008/2009 he saved the major Frankfurt bank, which had swallowed up the troubled Dresdner Bank in the middle of the global financial crisis, from collapsing with more than 18 billion euros in tax money and also became a major shareholder in the financial institution. Commerzbank repaid the state aid years ago, but the federal government remained a shareholder.

Exit for federal government so far not profitable

An exit has not been successful so far – also because this has not paid off financially for the federal government. According to the previous federal government, the federal government would have to achieve around 26 euros per share in order to end the Commerzbank commitment without a loss. The share price is currently around seven euros.