Monte Paschi, Europe’s biggest bank, made an unsolicited €13.4 billion offer to Mediobanca, Italy’s second-largest lender, potentially creating the country’s third-largest financial institution. The government recently expressed its interest in buying Paschi but faced resistance from regulators and the bank itself. The surprise takeover sent shockwaves through the sector, as investors and regulators were left questioning the stability of Italy’s banking system.
Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-24/monte-paschi-s-unthinkable-move-on-larger-rival-stuns-italy