(Updates timeline originally published on Sept. 11 with latest

developments)

By Tom Sims

FRANKFURT, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Commerzbank is

poised to put CFO Bettina Orlopp in charge of talks with

UniCredit when the German bank's supervisory board

meets next week, two people with knowledge of the matter said,

as the Italian rival considers a takeover.

Commerzbank has, like some other banks, had a rocky history

with big mergers and acquisitions over the years.

These are some of the key moments:

1870-1970s

The bank was founded in Hamburg and later moved to Berlin.

It relocated to Frankfurt in 1970 as one of Germany's leading

banks, focusing on retail customers and corporate firms.

1970s

Expands to London and New York, and other European capitals.

2008

Commerzbank agrees to buy Dresdner Bank, one of Germany's

biggest banks, from insurer Allianz in a $14.5 billion deal.

Commerzbank is Germany's first commercial bank to turn to

the government for capital during the global financial crisis.

2009

In a bailout, Germany takes a stake of 25% plus one share in

Commerzbank in return for an additional 10 billion euro ($11.13

billion) capital injection.

2011-2013

European debt crisis continues.

2016

Commerzbank embarks on a multi-year restructuring.

2017

U.S. investor Cerberus builds a stake controlling 5% of the

German bank's voting rights.

UniCredit told Berlin it is interested in eventually merging

with Commerzbank, Reuters reported, a combination that would

create one of Europe's biggest banks.

BNP Paribas' then Chairman Jean Lemierre dampened rumours

that it was is interested in a tie-up with Commerzbank.

2018

Commerzbank is expelled from the blue-chip DAX index.

Deutsche Bank dismissed as "fictions" media reports

suggesting that Germany's biggest bank might seek tie-ups with

Switzerland's UBS or Commerzbank.

2019

Cerberus is open to a merger between Germany's two biggest

lenders.

Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank hold merger talks, but call

them off weeks later.

UniCredit engaged investment bankers to advise it on a

potential bid for Commerzbank.

Commerzbank's supervisory board approved plans to cut

thousands of staff and close a fifth of its branches after the

failed merger with Deutsche Bank.

2020

In a u-turn, Commerzbank said that it would not sell its

Polish subsidiary mBank, citing poor market conditions.

Cerberus calls on Commerzbank to appoint two of its nominees

to the supervisory board, cut costs and adopt a new strategy.

Commerzbank's chairman and chief executive step down, bowing

to demands from Cerberus.

2021

Commerzbank's new CEO, Manfred Knof, wants to cut 10,000

jobs and close hundreds of branches as part of a strategy revamp

announced just weeks after taking on the top job.

Knof says Commerzbank is working to remain independent.

2022-2023

UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel previously approached Knof about

a potential deal in early 2022, before the Ukraine war, people

with knowledge of the matter have told Reuters.

Commerzbank returns to profit and rejoins the DAX.

2024

Jan. 23 Knof played down prospects of a possible merger with

Deutsche Bank, saying such a tie-up was not under discussion at

his bank and he was striving to keep the bank independent.

May 15 Commerzbank wants to "tone down" merger speculation

and is entirely focused on its current strategy, which is the

"best prerequisite" to stay independent, Knof said.

Sept. 3 Germany intends to reduce its 16.5% stake as

Commerzbank is stable again years after its rescue, the

government said.

Sept. 10 Commerzbank said Knof would not seek another term

when his contract ends in December 2025, as the German

government began to sell some of its shares.

Sept. 11 UniCredit approached Commerzbank about exploring

merger talks, a source with knowledge of the matter said, after

the bank bought a 9% stake. Commerzbank's management discussed

how to keep the lender independent.

Sept. 13 German government officials and UniCredit bankers

have held talks after the purchase of the 9% stake, Reuters

reported.

Sept. 16 Knof snubbed UniCredit's overtures, saying he had

his own plans for the bank and hoped it could stay independent.

Sept. 17 Bettina Orlopp, Commerzbank's finance chief, said

the German government should retain its Commerzbank stake.

Sept. 18 Commerzbank prepared to put Orlopp in charge of

talks with UniCredit, two people with knowledge of the matter

said.

($1 = 0.8982 euros)