za DPA

Commerzbank reported Wednesday that it lost EUR 2.32 billion euros in 2003
with bank chief Klaus-Peter Mueller saying the Frankfurt-based institution
was open to merger talks.

In the end the 2003 result was slightly higher than what banking industry
analysts had been forecasting, but the bank now is back on the road to
profitability.

"After 2003 was a year of consolidation for us, 2004 will be a year of
upswing with controlled expansion," said Mueller.

Remarking on persistent speculation about Commerzbank being a target for
takeover or merger, he said the bank continues to plan to operate
independently, while remaining "open" to outside interests.

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