(ANSA) - MILAN, 07 APR - Credit Agricole blitz, which struck a 9.18% stake in Banco Bpm, becoming its first shareholder.
"This transaction testifies to Crédit Agricole's strong appreciation for the intrinsic qualities of Banca Bpm: a solid company, with a positive outlook on the financial plan and a strong management team and with a proven track record", reads the note announcing the acquisition of the stake. .
Banco is satisfied with the entry of the new shareholder, whose investment - says the bank headed by Giuseppe Castagna - "has not been previously agreed".
"The quality and importance of the investor, as well as the appreciation expressed by the same for our bank" constitute "
For the French - already present in force in Italy where they bought Cariparma, Friuladria and more recently, Caricesena, Carim and Carismi and Creval - "the operation consolidates the strategic and long-term relationship of the group with BancoBpm, consisting primarily of the credit partnership alconsumo through the Agos joint venture ".
Crédit Agricole, which has not yet asked the ECB to exceed the 10% quota, "intends to expand the scope of the strategic partnership with Banco Bpm", say the French.
A possible entry of Agricole in the capital of Bancosi was talked about in recent months, as a possible defensive move of the bank in the face of the appetites of AndreaOrcel's Unicredit.
(HANDLE).