MILAN, Dec 23 (Reuters): The Bank of Italy would not oppose a foreign takeover of troubled domestic bank Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS.MI), a senior central bank official said in a newspaper interview.
Bank of Italy Deputy Director General Fabio Panetta said past experience showed that foreign takeovers of Italian banks had been successful.
"Any reservations on the nationality of groups that could be interested in a merger with Monte Paschi would be anachronistic and counterproductive," he told the Italian daily Il Messaggero.
Monte Paschi is set to tap investors for up to 2.5 billion euros next year in its fourth cash call since 2008 as it tries to fill a capital hole unveiled by a health check of European lenders.
The cash call is seen as a stepping stone towards finding a buyer for the world's oldest bank still in business.
"The only relevant condition in assessing a possible merger is the ability to ensure a sound management of the bank so that it can lend to families and companies," Panetta added.
Bank of Italy official says no block on foreign Monte Paschi bid
FE Team | Published: December 24, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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