Important and unprecedented acknowledgment for Intesa Sanpaolo, which was awarded the 'Bank of the Year in Western Europe' and 'Bank of the Year in Italy' awards by the authoritative London economic-financial monthly The Banker of the Financial Times Group. It is the first time that an Italian bank has received the recognition 'Bank of the Year in Western Europe'. The Banker Awards, considered by the world of finance the 'standard for banking excellence', are awarded annually by The Banker which, founded in 1926 and with around 90.000 readers worldwide, is the most widely read publication by professionals working in the banking sector and financial.
The Banker's panel of international judges has taken into account, this year more than any other in recent decades, the exceptionally complex challenges to which the banking sector has been subjected, at the forefront of countering the effects of the economic crisis resulting from the COVID pandemic -19. Particular attention was paid to the care dedicated to customer needs, to the commitment to favoring the financial inclusion of social groups with difficulty in accessing credit, to the constant support provided to SMEs and to the numerous initiatives with an economic and social impact. The Banker also highlighted the leading role of the bank in the development of the green economy in Italy. The combination with UBI Banca was very favorably evaluated, creating an Italian champion capable of competing at a European level.
“Recognition as the best bank in Western Europe – he commented Carlo Messina, managing director and CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo -, in a year marked by extraordinary complexity, is a source of great pride for all the people of Intesa Sanpaolo. Boosting the real economy and tackling the growing difficulties in society has never been more urgent than in 2020; banking also means this. Our business model has made it possible to continue to strengthen the solidity of our Group, giving us the strength to be the engine of sustainable and inclusive growth at the service of the country." Speaking of banking consolidation, Messina argued in a webinar of "Il Messaggero" that first it is necessary to create two or three large national banking groups and only then to think about international mergers.
Intesa Sanpaolo also won recognition in Croatia through its subsidiary PBZ, which was awarded the 'Bank of the Year in Croatia' award and, in Serbia, with Banca Intesa Beograd, which received the 'Bank of the Year in Serbia'.
