Scepticism as SG-UniCredit tie-up rears its head — but also hope

A report that UniCredit is considering a merger with Société Générale — which would create a powerful champion in European corporate debt — provoked strong feelings among capital markets specialists on Monday. The story appears to have taken UniCredit’s management by surprise, just after a bruising period for Italy in capital markets. But although some like the idea in principle and others scorn it, none believe a merger at some stage is impossible.