++ Bankitalia: profitable banks also with Npl increase ++

(ANSA) - ROME, NOVEMBER 25 - A doubling of adjustments to bank loans, due to the slowdown in the economy, is on the way for the next two years.

The Bank of Italy estimates it in its report on financial stability.

And yet the banking sector, as a whole, will remain profitable thanks to the increase in interest rates which, if it affects trading revenues, will push up the interest margin of Italian banks, whose business is largely intermediation.

   As the report explains, "the interest margin would grow on average by about one-fifth per year" until the end of 2024. Overall profitability would however remain positive.

(HANDLE).