ING passes on Commerzbank - for now
ING (ING) is reported to have ended takeover discussions with Commerzbank (CRZBF) (CRZBY) (see this Handelsblatt article). The reasons are not entirely clear, but, like the failed merger talks with Deutsche Bank (DB), high execution risks seem to have been a factor in turning both management teams against the idea. Both banks are also reported to want to concentrate on internal priorities rather than the complexities of a cross-border merger at this time (for ING, these include fully integrating its various European IT platforms and strengthening its