Takeover struggles for two Italian banks have laid bare the Bank of Italy’s powerful tinkering in the banking system as the country’s watchdog and the EU pull their mightier legal rank.

Banca Intesa, Italy’s largest bank, has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire a 75% stake in Russia’s Small Business Credit Bank (KMB), a leading provider of lending and leasing to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The Italian banking market looks on the verge of being blasted open by twin bids from the Netherlands’ ABN AMRO and Spain’s BBVA.

Massimo Arrighetti, head of retail at Italy’s Banca Intesa, talks to Stephen Timewell about the earthquake in his bank’s retail sector that has led not only to a radical rethink, but also to a step change in processes.
When Banco Ambrosiano Veneto, Cariplo and Banca Commerciale Italiana joined forces in late 2002 to form the largest bank in Italy, Banca Intesa, they also formed a bank with a staggering 1,500 different retail products.

Political infighting among four-member coalition underscores the need for structural reforms and perhaps a new government.
The Standard & Poor’s downgrade of Italian debt to AA- is long overdue. The only wonder is that the other rating agencies have yet to jump on board.

Intesa managing director and CEO Corrado Passera tells Karina Robinson how he plans to keep the bank on an upward path after turning it around.

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.

Italian banks reckon they are boosting efficiency and say politicians must now help by reducing the tax burden.