FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Germany's Commerzbank, fending off a possible takeover by Italy's UniCredit, said on Friday that net profit rose nearly 12% in the first quarter, defying expectations for a drop.

Net profit of 834 million euros ($936 million) in the quarter compares with a profit of 747 million euros a year earlier. Analysts had on average expected profit of 698 million euros, according to a consensus forecast published by Commerzbank.

The results were helped by stronger-than-expected interest and commission income, and by lower-than-expected provisions for bad loans.

The earnings set the stage for a crucial annual shareholder meeting on Thursday next week, where Commerzbank management will seek investor backing for a continued standalone strategy.

($1 = 0.8908 euros)