Mayer emphasized that a fragmented banking system hampers competitiveness against American banks and advocated for a banking union with larger institutions as a strategic response. He criticized the prevailing national approach in Germany, arguing for a shift towards a European strategy. Meanwhile, Commerzbank has cautioned its shareholders against accepting Unicredit’s offer, primarily due to concerns over the proposed acquisition price. Unicredit currently holds nearly 39 percent of Commerzbank’s voting rights, having increased its stake recently. This discussion aired on Deutschlandfunk on May 22, 2026.