Banks: Sileoni says that, following the current period of uncertainty, we expect further mergers

2027 and 2028: a turning point, with the sector’s geography changing

(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Following the conclusion of the current phase of banking consolidation, “we expect further mergers and other extraordinary transactions”. This is the forecast from Fabi’s General Secretary, Lando Maria Sileoni. “There are some banking groups – I don’t wish to name names – whose internal structures have yet to be finalised,” he added. “Given the vast liquidity banks hold, even once these extraordinary transactions have been completed, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of surprises. Some of the moves I’m seeing could be preparatory.” As for the progress of Intesa Sanpaolo’s takeover bid for MPS, Sileoni pointed out that “ultimately, what counts are the documents and the information they present to us in their business plans.” The Fabi leader also noted that “2027 will be crucial as far as business plans are concerned, because they will have to incorporate the results of the extraordinary transactions into those plans and

‘Even those banking groups not directly affected by the extraordinary transactions will clearly have to update their business plans.’ ‘So 2027–2028 will mark a turning point for the sector, with all groups repositioning themselves and, above all, a banking sector landscape that will very likely look different even from today’s. There is no denying that what is happening will also shape the future; the coming months and the coming year will be crucial, and they will also determine the sector’s future,’ he remarked. Sileoni does not, however, say he is concerned: ‘We are not because we should have been for at least twenty years,’ he concluded. We have always resolved our problems amongst ourselves, internally within the banks. It is a sector that is self-financing, a sector that is self-regulating, and one that, through collaboration, has always achieved a series of results.”

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