TIMELINE-Germany's Commerzbank has a bumpy history with big M&A

By Tom Sims

FRANKFURT, March 14 (Reuters) - The European Central Bank has given UniCredit CRDI.MI approval to buy up to 29.9% of Commerzbank CBKG.DE, the Italian bank said on Friday, potentially paving the way for CEO Andrea Orcel to pursue a takeover of Germany's second-biggest listed bank.

Commerzbank has, like some other banks, had a rocky history with big mergers and acquisitions over the years.

These are some of the key moments:

1870-1970s

The bank was founded in Hamburg and later moved to Berlin. It relocated to Frankfurt in 1970 as one of Germany's leading banks, focusing on retail and corporate customers.

1970s

Expands to London and New York, and other European capitals.

2008

Agrees to buy Dresdner Bank, one of Germany's biggest banks, from insurer Allianz in a $14.5 billion deal.

Commerzbank is Germany's first commercial bank to turn to the government for capital during the global financial crisis.

2009

In a bailout, Germany takes a stake of 25% plus one share in Commerzbank in return for an additional 10 billion euro ($11.13 billion) capital injection.

2011-2013

European debt crisis continues.

2016

Commerzbank embarks on a multi-year restructuring.

2017

U.S. investor Cerberus builds a stake controlling 5% of the German bank's voting rights.

UniCredit tells Berlin it is interested in eventually merging with Commerzbank, Reuters reported, a combination that would create one of Europe's biggest banks.

BNP Paribas' then Chairman Jean Lemierre dampened rumours that it was interested in a tie-up with Commerzbank.

2018

Commerzbank drops out of blue-chip DAX index.

Deutsche Bank describes as "fictions" media reports suggesting that Germany's biggest bank might seek a tie-up with Switzerland's UBS or Commerzbank.

2019

Cerberus says it is open to a merger between Germany's two biggest lenders.

Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank hold merger talks, but call them off weeks later.

UniCredit engages investment bankers to advise it on a potential bid for Commerzbank.

Commerzbank's supervisory board approves plans to cut thousands of staff and close a fifth of its branches after the failed merger with Deutsche Bank.

2020

In a U-turn, Commerzbank says that it would not sell its Polish subsidiary mBank, citing poor market conditions.

Cerberus calls on Commerzbank to appoint two of its nominees to the supervisory board, cut costs and adopt a new strategy.

Commerzbank's chairman and chief executive step down, bowing to demands from Cerberus.

2021

Commerzbank's new CEO, Manfred Knof, wants to cut 10,000 jobs and close hundreds of branches as part of a strategy revamp.

Knof says Commerzbank is working to remain independent.

2022-2023

UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel approaches Knof about a potential deal in early 2022, before the Ukraine war, people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Commerzbank returns to profit and rejoins the DAX.

2024

January 23 Knof plays down prospects of a possible merger with Deutsche Bank, saying he was striving to keep the bank independent.

May 15 Commerzbank wants to "tone down" merger speculation and is entirely focused on its current strategy, which is the "best prerequisite" to stay independent, Knof said.

September 3 Germany intends to reduce its 16.5% stake as Commerzbank is stable again years after its rescue, the government says.

September 10 Commerzbank says Knof would not seek another term when his contract ends in December 2025, as the German government begins to sell some of its shares.

September 11 UniCredit approaches Commerzbank about exploring merger talks, a source with knowledge of the matter said, after the bank bought a 9% stake. Commerzbank's management discusses how to keep the lender independent.

September 13 German government officials and UniCredit bankers hold talks, Reuters reports.

September 16 Knof snubs UniCredit's overtures, saying he had his own plans for the bank and hoped it could stay independent.

September 17 Bettina Orlopp, Commerzbank's finance chief, says the German government should retain its Commerzbank stake.

September 18 Commerzbank prepares to put Orlopp in charge of talks with UniCredit, two people with knowledge of the matter said.

September 20 Germany says it would not sell any more shares in Commerzbank for now.

September 23 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls UniCredit's move to acquire a possible 21% stake in Commerzbank "an unfriendly attack" .

September 24 Orlopp will take over as CEO, the bank announces.

September 26 Commerzbank and UniCredit will hold a first round of talks on Sept. 27, Orlopp says, as Commerzbank burnishes its independent strategy.

October 1 Orlopp, on her first day as CEO, tells staff she wants the bank to remain independent.

November 6 Germany's ruling coalition collapses, raising questions about whether the government could still fend off UniCredit's approach.

November 12 Commerzbank is considering buying a mid-sized German bank as part of its defence strategy, people tell Reuters.

November 25 UniCredit launches a bid for domestic peer Banco BPM, which Orcel said would take precedence over any potential move on Commerzbank.

December 18 UniCredit announces an increase in its stake in Commerzbank via derivatives to around 28%.

2025

January 31 Commerzbank posted a 20% increase in net profit in 2024, announcing earnings nearly two weeks ahead of schedule.

February 13 Commerzbank said it planned to axe 3,900 mostly local jobs to help it deliver more ambitious profit targets.

March 14 Commerzbank said it had taken note of the European Central Bank's approval of UniCredit's stake increase but remained focused on its strategy.

($1 = 0.8982 euros)