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.
Western Europe
Latest articles from Italy
MPS finds €5bn for transformational Antonveneta deal
August 4, 2008Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena’s audacious €9bn purchase of Banca Antonveneta last November required some serious work to raise the necessary financing. Edward Russell-Walling reports on how the group’s efforts ended up breaking the Italian record for capital raised.
Italian giant leaps east
May 5, 2008Italy’s leading light in eastern Europe, UniCredit has ambitious plans after buying into one of the region’s most dynamic markets with its purchase of Ukraine’s Ukrsotsbank, writes Philip Alexander.
Italy's race to the top
February 4, 2008David Lane traces Italy's journey to the fore in European banking.
A most appetising private equity market
November 5, 2007Italy’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
September 3, 2007In 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.
Enel goes to bond market
August 1, 2007Italy’s Enel is set to become a bond market regular, following its successful bid for Spain’s Endesa. Finance chief Claudio Machetti talks to Edward Russell-Walling about its latest corporate issue.
Italy enjoys the ‘Draghi effect’
July 2, 2007The 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
February 5, 2007Critics 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.
A whale of an undertaking
December 4, 2006Karina Robinson interviews Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa, Italy’s minister of economy and finance, the man tasked with the unenviable job of reeling in the nation’s budget deficit.