COMPANIES German lawmakers have agreed key parts of a bill to allow an expropriation of shareholders in Hypo Real Estate, paving the way for parliament to approve the controversial plans on Friday .
A nationalisation of the lender, which found itself unable to get refinancing last year after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, would be the most radical step taken in Germany to support banks since the financial crisis arose. The measures, modifying aspects of a bail-out scheme set up by Berlin last year, have been urged by the government so it can restructure the company without challenges from outside shareholders.
