Intesa Sanpaolo, through the division Imi Corporate & Investment Banking (Imi Cib), concluded two new financings in the field UK infrastructure for a total of about 500 million of euros (£400 million). The transactions concern the energy network sector and were concluded with two leading operators in the national system: National Grid e National Gas.
On the Private division front, the networks Fideuram – Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking recorded in 2025 500 new private banker positions and financial advisors, approaching the goal of 7.000 professionals.
Intesa Sanpaolo and IMI Cib finance National Grid and National Gas.
La first line of credit, about 290 million of euros (250 million pounds), was granted to National Grid, a company that owns and develops the electricity transmission network in England and Wales and operates the distribution network in the South West, the Midlands and Wales. second operation, from about 170 million of euros (150 million pounds), was signed with National Gas, responsible for the national gas transmission network. Both loans are intended to support investments for the modernization and expansion of infrastructure, with the aim of ensuring energy security and promoting the integration of renewable sources.
According to the bank, these transactions are part of Intesa Sanpaolo's strategy to consolidate its presence in the UK infrastructure sector. The division, led by Mauro Micillo, positions itself as a financial partner for projects related to energy security, ecological transition, and industrial development.
Nicola Doninelli, Head of Distribution Platforms & GTB at IMI CIB, commented that the commitment in the UK is based on “a deep knowledge and collaboration with British institutions” and on skills capable of structuring complex operations.
Imi Cib's main operations in the UK
In recent years, Imi Cib has expanded its presence in the UK by participating in financings in strategic sectors such as construction, ports, energy, and transportation. In the construction sector, the division has supported British groups such as Balfour Beatty, Kier Group e Morgan Sindall, for a total of approximately 960 million euros. In the port sector, the bank has provided a bilateral loan of 58 million euros to Associated British Ports and participated in a financing of approximately 240 million euros for Peel Ports GroupOn the energy transition front, the Intesa division acted as Mandated Lead Arranger, together with a consortium of banks, in the financing of approximately 2,9 billion euros for the project Liverpool Bay CO₂ Transportation & Storage, part of the program HyNet for hydrogen and carbon capture in North West England and North Wales.
In addition to these areas, Imi Cib supports social infrastructure, transport and sustainable mobility, digital and industrial infrastructure, and airport infrastructure in the UK.
Fideuram accelerates: +500 private bankers by 2025, target 7.000
According to the announcement, growth is based on a mix of organic development, generational turnover and talent acquisition from the market. In the period from January 1st to December 31st 2025, 460 private bankers added to Fideuram networks, Sanpaolo Invest and IW Private Investments, in addition to the new additions to the Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking network.
More than half of the new hires come from initiatives Next Generation, dedicated to young financial advisors, while approximately a third are women, confirming a progressive gender balance. Approximately 30% of recruitments are senior profiles from competitors, indicating an ability to attract already established professionals.
Guidoni: "2025 will be a year of acceleration."
Andrea Ghidoni, Head of Network and Commercial Coordination at Fideuram, defined 2025 as a year of acceleration in recruitment: “Over the course of the year we have added 460 Private Bankers to the Fideuram, Sanpaolo Invest and IW Private Investments networks, in addition to the professionals who have joined the Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking network”. The manager then added that “over 50% of the new hires come from the Next Generation initiatives, dedicated to young financial advisors”, with a female component equal to approximately one third of the insertions and approximately 30% of recruits with a senior profile coming from the competition, confirming the ability to attract talents "of high value and recognition on the market".
