Veneto Banca attracts renewed interest from BPER
Veneto Banca, the unlisted Italian cooperative bank, has attracted the attention of larger listed peer BPER, Il Messaggero reported. BPER is interested in expanding its presence in north-east Italy, the unsourced Italian- language daily reported.
BPER's hand could be strengthened by the fact that certain circles in Veneto Banca are against a merger with the most likely candidate Banca Popolare di Vicenza because it could lead to the closure of 20% of Veneto's branches in four of the provinces in which it operates, the report added.
Some in Veneto Banca would look favourably for a merger with Banco Popolare, the report further added.
Veneto Banca posted a EUR 968m loss in 2014, the report concluded.
Source Il Messaggero