Italy’s oldest bank is reportedly discussing a cash-and-shares merger of equals with Banco BPM, opening a rival route to Intesa Sanpaolo’s €35 billion offer.
Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, described as Italy’s oldest bank, is reportedly in merger-of-equals talks with Banco BPM. The discussions may involve a cash-and-shares structure and are being considered as an alternative to Intesa Sanpaolo’s €35 billion bid. The potential combination points to competing strategic paths in Italy’s banking sector, where mergers are often used to build scale, strengthen market position and respond to takeover interest.