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Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank have abandoned merger talks, saying the deal would have been too risky.
Deutsche Bank said the deal would not have generated “sufficient benefits” to offset the costs of the deal.
The German banks only entered formal merger talks last month.
The German government had been supporting the tie-up, with reports saying Finance Minister Olaf Sholz wanted a national champion in the banking industry.
The government still owns a 15.5% stake in Commerzbank, acquired after the bank was bailed out following the financial crisis.
The deal was seen as a way of reviving the fortunes of both banks.
Combined, the banks would have controlled one fifth of Germany’s High Street banking business with €1.8 trillion ($2tn; £1.6tn) of assets, such as loans and investments.
However, in a statement Deutsche Bank said managing the merger would have created additional risks and costs, which would have not been offset by the potential benefits.
“Deutsche Bank will continue to review all alternatives to improve long-term profitability and shareholder returns,” it said.
Union opposition
Deutsche Bank has been struggling to generate growth and has been hampered by losses at its US investment banking operations.
Commerzbank has also found it difficult to grow.
Both banks are facing an economic slowdown in Germany and in the eurozone.
Critics of the tie-up said that combining two struggling banks would have just created one large bank with problems.
In addition, the deal faced opposition from unions who feared that more than 10,000 jobs would be cut.