The state is making it easier for Italian banks to reduce their cripplingly high level of non-performing loans, but investors should proceed with caution even in the new climate.
Western Europe
Latest articles from Italy

Intesa Sanpaolo CEO’s strategy for growth
October 2, 2017Carlo Messina, CEO of Italy’s biggest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, talks to Brian Caplen about moving beyond restructuring into a new era of prioritising growth.
Europe’s Single Resolution Mechanism is a recipe for instability
September 25, 2017Recent bank bailouts show that the Single Resolution Mechanism is woefully inadequate, writes Jean Dermine, professor of banking and finance at graduate business school Insead.
Italy still struggling with NPLs
August 1, 2017Italy’s financial sector is still plagued by non-performing loans, and impairment charges and provisions are now hitting profits. Danielle Myles reports.

Italy makes its NPL move
July 1, 2016Italian banks are struggling to manage their non-performing loans. Can government measures such as reforms to the financial sector, a revamp of bankruptcy laws and a new fund that invests in NPLs help? Stefanie Linhardt investigates.

Italian private banks get a makeover to win asset-rich clients
February 1, 2016Low interest rates and global market volatility are encouraging Italians to demand better returns from their private banks. How are wealth managers responding? Silvia Pavoni reports.

Resilience, reform, confidence: the rise of a recovering Italy
January 4, 2016Italy has weathered a severe economic storm over the past few years but, with the help of foreign investment, the country is now on track to regain its strength and competitiveness, writes Fabio Gallia, CEO of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.

Banca IMI, the master of Italian risk, seeks global appeal
December 1, 2015Massimo Mocio says the pull-back of international players from Italy has provided Banca IMI with a stronger domestic base from which to compete.

Carlo Messina: turning Intesa Sanpaolo around
October 1, 2015After reporting the bank’s best half-year results, Intesa Sanpaolo’s chief executive Carlo Messina is upbeat about its future in Italy, thanks to booming wealth management and life insurance businesses, and growth opportunities in some of its central and eastern European subsidiaries.
Europe needs a proportionate rethink on bank regulation
August 24, 2015EU bank regulation should be applied consistently on a proportionate basis that reflects the size and business model of the banks being regulated.