Jean Pierre Mustier’s decision to leave UniCredit raises the alarming prospect of the crippled Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena pulling down a much bigger and stronger Italian bank.

Pre-2008 M&A mistakes still stand in the way of a bolder bank purchase such as Banco BPM.

Tighter BTP-Bund spreads obviate the need for an international sub-holding, UniCredit CEO Jean Pierre Mustier tells Euromoney.

Incoming UniCredit chairman Pier Carlo Padoan could be a useful ally to CEO Jean Pierre Mustier, but the latter may not realise his dreams in Germany and Europe unless the bank plays a greater role in Italy, too.

UniCredit CEO Jean Pierre Mustier is among bankers pushing for easier corporate access to government equity, as state-backed loans have heightened firms’ indebtedness, and firms’ sales struggle to recover.

Italy’s anti-trust authority could yet side with those who argue UBI Banca will serve Italy’s banking system better by doing acquisitions of its own.

Banca d’Italia plays a key role behind the scenes in embedding distributed ledger at the core of the country’s banking system.

Entering a potential credit crisis, when they are still battling an old one, leaves Italy’s banks exposed. That means strong government backing is more important than ever.

Central banks have told lenders to eat into their buffers, but intense debate remains over recognition of non-performing loans in the push for debt moratoria.

Debt forgiveness may stave off an immediate banking crisis in the country hardest hit so far, but the longer-term outlook is grave.

Bankers say state guarantees to support payment holidays could prevent loan defaults.

What was Italy’s biggest bank is giving free rein to Intesa Sanpaolo in Italy, making CEO Carlo Messina’s crown even more secure.

Intesa Sanpaolo’s €4.9 billion raid on UBI Banca could inspire similar deals, but it’s an eminently Italian takeover, not least due to the role of Alberto Nagel’s Mediobanca.

If the reversal rate is lower elsewhere, Italy and Germany can’t blame the ECB.

Leonardo Del Vecchio’s arrival as the biggest shareholder in Mediobanca caught CEO Alberto Nagel off guard, stirring debate about Nagel’s handling of the bank’s stake in Generali. Nagel insists he can find an acquisition in wealth management that is good enough to justify selling. But is his and Mediobanca’s influence in the country on the wane?

Intesa Sanpaolo chief executive Carlo Messina bristles at the idea that Italian finance should be an underdog in Europe. His bank can prove otherwise and, he says, lower interest rates will only make its fee businesses shine more brightly. But in a stagnating economy with tech-savvy challengers gaining share and other Italian banks recovering, are acquisitions the only way for Intesa to grow and retain the favour of investors and clients?

As Italy’s biggest bank unveils a new plan and new targets, CEO Jean Pierre Mustier says negative rates and Basel III reforms mean “8% is the new 10%” for European banks’ returns on equity

The Italian fashion house’s sustainability linked loan, arranged by Crédit Agricole, builds the catwalk for other retailers to follow suit.

Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize trade finance, but a lack of standardization will hinder its adoption.

Lead by example.

Italy’s biggest bank is offloading choice bits of its 60,000-strong art collection – in doing so it is going in a different direction to peers like Intesa Sanpaolo.

UniCredit lifer and top Italian speaker to step down as number two; Khayat and Bisagni take wider commercial roles as Burton becomes CIB head.

Harsher-than-expected 100% coverage deadlines; no ‘significant’ impact on capital, insist banks.

Banco Santander’s board has botched the appointment of the bank's next CEO in the clumsiest way possible.

The political tune of 2018 was not to UniCredit’s taste. Chief executive Jean Pierre Mustier needs a different rhythm to bring back the party spirit.

Any bank with a gross NPL ratio of 27.5% has a problem – Italy’s Banca Carige can’t avoid insolvency unless it comes up with a radical solution, fast.

Resignations of directors after shareholders failed to approve a capital increase prompt an early intervention

Chance of Société Générale merger remote, but bigger European banks to emerge in ‘medium term’.

European banks are investing in and using the tools of an AI startup applying deep learning to syndicated loans, asset management and, soon to come, primary bond markets.

Banks in the eurozone periphery have need, and some justification, for a new targeted LTRO.