The recent intervention of the Italian Treasury marked a crucial step for Monte di Paschi di Siena (Mps), securing its Italianness and laying the foundations for the creation of a new banking hub in the country. This maneuver involves an integration between Mps, Banco Bpm and Anima, with CEO Luigi Lovaglio at the helm of the recovery of the historic Sienese bank.
The operation involves the sale of 15% of MPS shares to an industrial partner, represented by the Banco Bpm-Anima group, which will acquire 9%. Supporting this alliance are two important entrepreneurial partners: the Caltagirone group and Delfin of the Del Vecchio family, each with a stake of 3.5%. This strategy has generated enthusiasm on the stock exchange, where the aggregate of the three companies has exceeded 20 billion euros in capitalization. According to analysts, the synergies generated by this merger could lead to further economic benefits.
Banking industry leaders, such as Giuseppe Castagna and Giancarlo Giorgetti, have stressed the importance of the operation as a step towards greater stability and growth in the credit market. The new shareholding structure of MPS now sees the Treasury holding 11.7% of the shares, with Banco BPM at 5%, Anima at 4% and Caltagirone and Delfin at 3.5%. This “hard core” of Italian shareholders offers a guarantee of stability to the governance of MPS.
Optimism reigns among financial experts: JP Morgan does not rule out possible acquisitions within a year, with synergies estimated at over €550 million. Similarly, Bank of America expects that the integration with Anima could increase the attractiveness of the merger. S&P Global Ratings expects 2025 to be a profitable year for Italian banks. Despite the challenges of falling interest rates, the sector appears to be able to effectively address these dynamics. In this context, the political vision expressed by the leader of the League, Matteo Salvini, highlights how the State’s action can transform MPS into an attractive hub for Italian investors. “The path was and is the right one”, Salvini commented proudly regarding the results obtained thanks to the restructuring of the bank. In conclusion, the future of Monte di Paschi seems promising: a well-orchestrated merger could not only restore stability to the historic Sienese bank but also strengthen the Italian banking system in general.
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