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

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.