REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File PhotoMILAN, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Monday took "full responsibility" for last week's shock decision to impose a one-off bank tax that has been blamed for causing lasting damage to her government's credibility with financial markets. In comments to Italian newspapers Corriere della Sera, la Repubblica and La Stampa, Meloni said the 40% levy had no punitive intent. The new tax targets a rise in profits banks have derived from higher rates. Sources told Reuters when the measure was announced the Treasury expected to draw less than 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) from the tax. With Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti noticeably absent from the press conference to announce the tax, Meloni said he had been informed about the decision.

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Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, MILAN, Meloni, Giancarlo Giorgetti, France's Marie Le Pen, Claudia Cristoferi, Federico Maccioni, Valentina Za, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Italy's, U.S, White, REUTERS, Italian, della, Repubblica, la Repubblica, Reuters, Treasury, Forza Italian, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, La, la