Commerzbank reaffirms intention to sell Credit Lyonnais

Commerzbank AG reiterated its intention to divest its stake of around 4% in Credit Lyonnais SA, after BNP Paribas bought the French government's 11% stake in the bank at the weekend.

But Commerzbank also emphasised there is currently "no kind of concrete discussion" taking place on the issue.

"The same goes for our stake in Credit Lyonnais as for all our non strategic investments - that it is for sale if a good opportunity presents itself," said a spokesman for Commerzbank.

The spokesman added that Commerzbank had been surprised by the shock events of the weekend, which "came like a bolt from the blue".

Commerzbank chairman Klaus Peter Mueller had said earlier this year the bank has indicated "that we are ready to sell (the stake in Lyonnais), but do not take this as an indication it will be tomorrow."