Italy's lenders pick up central bank bonus

Following a difficult few years, Italy's banks received a windfall from the central bank after the institution revalued its share 'capital', but other eurozone lenders claim that this gives Italian players an unfair advantage in the upcoming asset quality review.

Mediobanca makes its move

The rollercoaster ride that Italy's Mediobanca has embarked upon since the crisis hit has seen the bank change its leadership, embrace retail banking, look to shed its equity in a number of leading Italian companies, and seek to no longer tie up its stakes in shareholder pacts. David Lane assesses the impact of these moves.

How Monte dei Paschi made the wrong kind of history

Management, shareholders and regulators all seem to carry some of the blame for allowing Monte dei Paschi to acquire Antonveneta, which created uncontrollable risks for what had previously been one of Italy's more conservative banks.

Italy's banking leaders see chinks of light amid the gloom

Italy's banks are struggling. Many are weighed down by bad assets and an oversubscription to government bonds, while those with relatively healthy portfolios are battling against a difficult economy and the series of downgrades that has recently befallen them. Despite this, CEOs at the country's largest institutions remain optimistic.

The sorry and familiar story of Italy's debt crisis

Huge public debts, lacklustre political leadership, teetering on the edge of an abyss... For Italy in 2011, read Italy in 1992, or Italy in the mid 1970s. The country has failed to learn the lesson of past crises and will have to make some unpopular decisions if it is to break this cycle.

What next for UniCredit after Profumo?

The departure of UniCredit CEO Alessandro Profumo was not entirely unexpected, following rumours of his discomfort, but his sudden exit has still left many questions hanging over the future strategy of Italy's largest bank. Writer David Lane

Friends in need

Italy's philanthropic foundations remain significant shareholders in the country's banks, which has helped them ease their way through the economic crisis and maintain a long-term growth strategy. Writer David Lane

Intesa Sanpaolo invests in Eastern promise: Looking East

Intesa Sanpaolo rose to prominence as Italy's largest bank after a series of domestic mergers and takeovers, and has improved its status further with a raft of selective acquisitions in central and eastern Europe, writes David Lane in Rome.

Allegro Con Brio Fades for Italy

Italian banks’ cautious approach has distanced them from the risky instruments and products at the heart of the economic crisis, yet prudence is more important than ever if they are to support the country’s ailing industries. Writer David Lane in Rome, Milan and Siena.

Italians reap the benefits of buyouts

Two years of consolidation have transformed the landscape of Italian banking – and in the process the country’s financial institutions have become experts in extracting maximum value from merging companies. Writer David Lane.

Italy's race to the top

David Lane traces Italy's journey to the fore in European banking.

A most appetising private equity market

Italy’s economy is characterised by small and medium-sized family businesses, offering huge potential for private equity. David Lane reports from Rome .

Strong ties help smallfry survive

In some of Italy’s communes, a credit co-operative is the only bank. David Lane reports from Rome on the continuing attraction of these small institutions to their Italian customers.

Italy enjoys the ‘Draghi effect’

The hands-off approach of Italy’s central bank boss Mario Draghi seems to be paying off as the country is starting to produce continental-scale banks. David Lane reports.

Banche popolari sitting pretty

Critics of northern Italy’s rapidly consolidating co-operative bank networks decry the fact they can take over commercial rivals but not vice versa. David Lane explains.

Microstate with macro ambitions

David Lane reports on the tiny state of San Marino’s bid to take on the likes of Ireland and Luxembourg.

Italian banking comes of age

The recently announced merger of Banca Intesa and Sanpaolo IMI marks progress in the Italian banking sector: it is market driven and looks good for the bulk of the banks’ investors. David Lane reports from Milan.

Confidence in Rome won’t be rebuilt in a day

Under Antonio Fazio, Italy’s central bank seemed to have become an autocracy, with the now disgraced ex-governor its all-powerful boss. Governance will have to be a priority for the new governor, Mario Draghi. David Lane reports on the immense confidence rebuilding task ahead.Italy’s reputation for institutional excellence is, to put it mildly, far from the country’s strong point. Italian corruption scandals are legendary for involving a wide range of participants from all walks of life: business, politics and public bodies.

Regulator raids concert party

Italy’s stock market watchdog has crashed the Bank of Italy’s bid to block ABN AMRO’s takeover of Banca Antonveneta, reports David Lane.

Milan's fashion for finance

Milan has always been a capital of style but it is now being recognised as Italy's financial centre. David Lane reports on the city's banking trends.