The acquisition of Unipol Bank by Bper gets the green lightAntitrust. The Competition and Market Authority itself communicates it, specifying however that a condition must be respected.
The Authority noted in its investigation "that the merger involves the establishment" and "the strengthening of Bper's dominant position in Sardinia – reads the note from the Antitrust – such as to eliminate or substantially and permanently reduce competition in some local markets of direct banking deposits, loans to consumer households and loans to producer households-small businesses, as well as the distribution of mutual investment funds and assets under administration”.
The Authority therefore decided that “the transaction can be authorized against measures capable of resolving the identified competitive issues”, reads the press release.
In detail, the Antitrust imposes on Bper "the disposal of Unipol Banca branches in geographical areas that are problematic for an independent entity capable of being an effective or potential competitor on the market".
Bper had announced last February the acquisition of 100% of Unipol Banca for 220 million euros, an amount paid entirely in cash. At the same time, Bper also acquired 49% of Banco di Sardegna.
