Commerz looks beyond tiny profit to better times

Commerzbank’s investment banking arm managed to post a small profit in the fourth quarter of 2011, taking it to eight consecutive quarters of profit. But the positive result — a modest €27m — was dominated by the bank’s corporates business, which provides capital markets and investment banking services for its largest clients. And it was only made possible by a €75m own credit gain booked in the bank’s fixed income and currencies trading business.