After the financial crisis, dealmaking among banks in different countries in Europe fell to a standstill. But recently, Italian lender UniCredit revealed that it had built up a stake in Germany’s Commerzbank, prompting discussions of a possible tie-up. EU policymakers and politicians believe cross-border deals like this could unlock European banking and make it more competitive globally. So why is there resistance? The FT’s European banking correspondent Owen Walker explains.  Clips from Bloomberg, BBC  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  For further reading: Andrea Orcel plots UniCredit’s boldest move yet on Commerzbank Andrea Orcel, Commerzbank and the redemption trade Europe’s most notorious banking dealmaker returns - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  On X, follow Owen Walker (@OwenWalker0) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07), or follow Michela on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.  Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Volkswagen is facing a crisis. Often considered a symbol of Germany’s industrial power, it’s now reckoning with a difficult transition to electric vehicles, among other issues. And now, management is considering breaking a long-held taboo: closing German factories. Patricia Nilsson, the FT’s Frankfurt correspondent, heads to VW’s headquarters in Wolfsburg to examine the fallout and what’s next.     Clips from Bloomberg, DW News, CNN - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  For further reading: For European carmakers, EVs are a Catch-22 Why Volkswagen is seeking to break the taboo of closing German plants VW audit of Xinjiang plant failed to meet international standards - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  On X, follow Patricia Nilsson (@patricianilsson) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07), or follow Michela on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.  Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.