Monte dei Paschi di Siena does not rule out a priori merger with another Italian or European bank to avoid the 2,5 billion euro capital increase by the end of next year, even if the chairman Alessandro Profumo explains that at the moment there are no negotiations underway and in any case he prefers an "independent" recovery plan.
“I can't rule out anything. But I can tell you that for the moment no one has come forward,” Profumo said in an interview published today by the newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, answering a question about a possible alliance with a foreign bank. In general, on the subject of alliances, “we are willing to evaluate all options in Italy and abroad. At the moment there is nothing concrete”.
“In general, I say that if there are banking groups who are 100% interested in the bank, we have a duty to examine the proposal. We have no foreclosures towards anyone ”, added the president, answering a question about the possible interest of Intesa Sanpaolo, which he has however denied in recent days.
Yesterday, adhering to the request for reductions by the European Union, MPS announced the cut of 8.000 jobs, from the initial 4.700, and the disposal of another 150 branches, in an attempt to return to profit and avoid nationalisation. Monte Paschi, the third largest bank by assets, is waiting for the definitive green light from the European Commission to access the 4,07 billion euro soon received from the Treasury with the so-called Monti bonds, after the eurozone crisis and the derivatives scandal.
In the meantime, a super opening for the stock in Piazza Affari, in the wake of yesterday's closure: in the first minutes of trading on the Stock Exchange, Mps has already gained 4% in €0,2402 per share.
