Frankfurt - The Italian-owned bank HypoVereinsbank said Monday it had taken over a stake of about 10 per cent in German erotic company, Beate Uhse AG.

The Munich-based offshoot of Unicredit, HypoVereinsbank acquired the 9.84 per cent holding from Reuben Rotermund, a grandson of Beate Uhse, the company's founder,

However, the Rotermund institute, which is based in Liechtensein, still retains a 7.43 per cent stake in the group.

Ulrich Rotermund, Beate Uhse's son and his tax adviser Richard Orthmann have played a key role in the company's business operations since it made its stock market debut in 1999. (dpa)