Commerzbank is reportedly exploring the acquisition of a domestic rival as part of a defensive strategy against UniCredit, which has recently increased its stake in the German bank. Potential targets for the acquisition include Hamburg Commercial Bank and Oldenburgische Landesbank, according to sources familiar with the matter. This development follows sharp criticism from Germany’s new finance minister regarding UniCredit's tactics in building its stake in Commerzbank, marking a significant moment in the ongoing competitive landscape of the German banking sector.