Adnkronos Rome, 7 Feb. (Adnkronos) – "It's time to take a step forward in the Italian banking landscape" and the takeover bid launched on Popolare di Sondrio, which "provides the opportunity to combine two banks with similar DNA", is an operation "analyzed very carefully" and "we think it is very attractive for the shareholders" of Popso. This is what the CEO of Bper, Gianni Franco Papa, said during the call with analysts during which he illustrated the balance sheet data at 31 December 2024 and the takeover bid announced yesterday on the Lombardy institution.
The announced takeover bid for Popolare di Sondrio "has not been agreed, but we do not consider it hostile" declared Papa, who continued: "We are very confident about this business combination, driven by a strong industrial logic. We are in a crucial moment for the Italian banking system and we are convinced that we can defend and protect our territories" through "a combination that involves banks with similar values, culture and DNA. This is a unique opportunity to create a leading bank, with a strong presence in the richest Italian regions". "The strategic logics - reiterated Papa - are strong and there is no doubt that it would be a strong bank" to support "families, SMEs and communities, putting customers at the center and supporting them in a sustainable way from the point of view of synergies". Furthermore, the CEO continued, "we believe there is room to do even better once the two banks are fully integrated".
The takeover bid launched by Bper on Pop Sondrio “is an operation that has accelerated following what we have seen happen in the Italian financial banking world in the last two months. There has been an important phase of consolidation, or proposals for consolidation, which saw the participation of domestic and also international operators – explains Papa – and therefore it has become essential for us to protect our positioning in Italy”. After all, “today we are the third bank in a whole series of elements in the system and therefore we thought it was necessary to also pursue the objectives of competitive and dimensional strengthening in line with current trends”.