The European Commission has approved the $1.2bn sale of German state-controlled shipping lender HSH Nordbank to private equity investors.
It found the privatisation process was "open, competitive and non-discriminatory", requiring no further state aid and landing a "positive price".
Competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager said: "The German authorities have found a sustainable solution for HSH Nordbank that avoids the need for further public support for the bank.
