The lender plans to lay off around 9% of its workforce in a bid to boost returns and convince investors of its standalone prospects.

Germany's Commerzbank is preparing staff cuts and revamped financial targets in its efforts to fend off tie-up advances by Italy's UniCredit , multiple people with direct knowledge of the plans told Reuters.

German lender Commerzbank said Thursday it plans to cut about 3,900 jobs, around 10 percent of its workforce, seeking to fight off pressure for a tie-up from Italian bank UniCredit.

The German bank is seeking to bolster its financial strength as Italy’s UniCredit vies for a takeover. View on euronews

Commerzbank said on Thursday it would cut 3,900 jobs and unveiled more ambitious financial targets as part of a strategy revamp designed to head off UniCredit's advances for a tie-up between the German and Italian lenders.

Germany's Commerzbank will cut thousands of jobs as the bank battles to fend off a takeover bid from Italian banking giant UniCredit. About 3,900 full-time positions will be cut by the end of 2027, the company announced on Thursday.