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REUTERS/Pierre AlbouyMILAN/LONDON, April 21 (Reuters) - Short-sellers who bet against European banks are set to lose a substantial amount of money in April after the sector bounced back from the shock downfall of Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) in anticipation of strong quarterly earnings. The STOXX European banks share index (.SX7P) has risen as much as 18% from late March's lows. But a Bank of America survey showed fund managers cut bank exposure in April to the lowest since May 2020, as they piled into more recession-proof defensive sectors. Ortex estimates short interest on European banks is close to 1% of the free share float, an 11-month high. One area of concern is exposure to commercial real estate and investors will be alert to any sign of emerging stress as European lenders report earnings next week.

☆ Italian investor in UniCredit, Banco BPM sees 'strategic value' in deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Valentina Za | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Italy's No.2 bank UniCredit was preparing an offer for number three Banco BPM in 2022, before the Ukraine conflict forced CEO Andrea Orcel to focus on its Russia exposure. Orcel had looked to move on Banco BPM soon after becoming UniCredit CEO two years ago, but instead entered talks with the government over a possible Monte dei Paschi (BMPS.MI) acquisition that eventually fell through. Fondazione CRT holds 1.9% of UniCredit and 1.8% of Banco BPM. Twenty years later that gap is still there so the strategic value of the deal remains". Born from the merger of BPM with Verona-based Banco Popolare, Banco BPM controls 12% of Lombardy's banking market, twice UniCredit's market share.

☆ European banks surge on strong Q1 results from U.S. peers
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Joice Alves | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] The logo of Deutsche Bank is seen in Brussels, Belgium December 6, 2022. REUTERS/Yves HermanLONDON, April 14 (Reuters) - European banks surged on Friday, rising to a one-month high, gaining support from U.S. lenders, which reported better-than-expected results in the first quarter. The STOXX 600 index of European banks (.SX7P) gained as much as 3% to reach its highest since mid-March after JPMorgan (JPM.N), Citigroup (C.N) and Wells Fargo WFC.N beat estimates. Banks largely outperformed the broader market, with the STOXX 600 (.STOXX) index climbing 0.6% as risk assets gained support from expectations the U.S. Federal Reserve may soon finish raising interest rates. In London, Standard Chartered (STAN.L) shares rose 4.3% to three-week highs, Barclays (BARC.L) shares were up 3%, touching a five-week high, while HSBC (HSBA.L) shares up 3.1% to one month highs.

☆ Italy's term deposit rates inch up in March
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The increase is 4% for a 18-month term deposit and just 1% for a six-month deposit. After shielding retail customers from negative rates in recent years, Italian banks have tried to profit from the gap between 'active' rates charged on loans and those paid on deposits as the cost of credit started rising. Passive interest rates which lenders pay to depositors typically rise with a lag compared to active ones. The Bank of Italy has also called on banks to revise deposit terms to increase benefits for customers as monetary policy normalises. The threat of higher funding costs is bigger for specialist lenders than traditional commercial banks, with ConfrontaConti.it featuring term deposit offers mostly from challenger banks on its home page.

March 15 (Reuters) - Swiss regulators said Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) can access liquidity from the central bank if needed, racing to assuage fears around the lender after it led a rout in European bank shares on Wednesday. The U.S. Treasury is monitoring the situation around Credit Suisse and is in touch with global counterparts about it, a Treasury spokesperson said. They slid again as a crisis of confidence gripped Credit Suisse on Wednesday after its largest investor said it could not provide Credit Suisse with more financial assistance because of regulatory constraints. The logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse is seen in front of an office building in Zurich, Switzerland October 26, 2022. Ralph Hamers, CEO of Credit Suisse rival UBS (UBSG.S) said market turmoil has steered more money its way.

Two supervisory sources told Reuters that the European Central Bank (ECB) had contacted banks on its watch to quiz them about their exposures to Credit Suisse. The Swiss National Bank declined to comment on Switzerland's second-largest bank, after its largest investor said it could not provide Credit Suisse with more financial assistance because of regulatory constraints. Credit Suisse had appealed to the Swiss National Bank and Swiss financial watchdog FINMA for a public show of support, the Financial Times reported. The logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse is seen in front of an office building in Zurich, Switzerland October 26, 2022. Ralph Hamers, CEO of Credit Suisse rival UBS (UBSG.S) said market turmoil has steered more money its way.

The drop in Credit Suisse shares led a 7% fall in the European banking index (.SX7P), while five-year credit default swaps (CDS) for the flagship Swiss bank hit a new record high, highlighting increasing investor concerns. We move from the problems of American banks to those of European banks, first of all Credit Suisse," said Carlo Franchini, head of institutional clients at Banca Ifigest in Milan. The Swiss National Bank declined to comment on Switzerland's second-largest bank, after its largest investor said it could not provide Credit Suisse with more financial assistance because of regulatory constrains. The logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse is seen in front of an office building in Zurich, Switzerland October 26, 2022. Ralph Hamers, CEO of Credit Suisse rival UBS (UBSG.S) said it has benefited from market turmoil and seen money inflows.

March 15 (Reuters) - European bank stocks fell sharply on Wednesday, with embattled Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) tumbling to a new low, on renewed investor concerns about stresses within the sector triggered by Silicon Valley Bank's sudden collapse. A more than 20% drop in Credit Suisse shares led a 6% plus fall in the European banking index (.SX7P), while five-year credit default swaps (CDS) for the flagship Swiss bank hit a new record high, highlighting increasing investor concerns. We move from the problems of American banks to those of European banks, first of all Credit Suisse," said Carlo Franchini, head of institutional clients at Banca Ifigest in Milan. BlackRock (BLK.N) Chief Executive Laurence Fink warned on Wednesday that the U.S. regional banking sector remains at risk, and predicted further high inflation and rate increases. And in an attempt to avert a similar crisis down the line, the U.S. Federal Reserve is considering tougher rules and oversight for midsize banks similar in size to SVB.

Credit Suisse fell below 2 Swiss francs ($2.18) for the first time after Saudi National Bank said it could not go above 10% ownership due to a regulatory issue. Credit Suisse shares fell by as much as 23.8% and were last down 20.2%. An index of European bank stocks (.SX7P) fell in morning trading and was last down 6.1%, hitting its lowest since January 3. Fears of contagion after the collapse of tech-focused lender SVB (SIVB.O) and New York-based Signature Bank (SBNY.O) last week have weighed on European bank stocks. We move from the problems of American banks to those of European banks, first of all Credit Suisse," said Carlo Franchini, head of institutional clients at Banca Ifigest in Milan.

☆ Instant View: Banking stocks tank again as Credit Suisse woes rock market
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

FILE PHOTO: A Credit Suisse logo is pictured on a the roof of a branch in Geneva, Switzerland, November 3, 2022. European banks shares slid over 6%, European stocks were down more 3% and U.S. stock futures pointed to a weak start for Wall Street shares. MARKET REACTION:STOCKS: Credit Suisse share trading was halted after heavy losses, last down over 20%, ING Group, ABN AMRO were4 down over 6%. “But in general, the balance sheet is in a much better position, with the European banks all highly regulated. So, it is important that the European regulator make clear that the underlying systemic risk, not only for deposits, but in the overall European banking market, is rather low.”

☆ Insurer AXA sells off most of its shares in Monte dei Paschi at 2.33 euros/share
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PARIS, Feb 28 (Reuters) - French insurer AXA (AXAF.PA) said on Tuesday that it had successfully sold off most of its shares in Italian bank Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS.MI), divesting the stocks at a price of 2.33 euros per share. Following this sale, AXA will hold 0.0007% of the Italian bank's share capital. Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta Editing by Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ AXA’s fling with Monte Paschi ends on high note
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

With its 200-million-euro investment in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS.MI), the French insurer was one of the largest backers of a crucial 2.5-billion-euro capital increase that the hard-beaten lender secured in November. For AXA, supporting the cash call was instrumental to protect its existing insurance distribution partnership with Monte Paschi. The French insurer said on Tuesday it had sold 100 million shares, nearly 8% of Monte Paschi’s total, at 2.33 euros each, pocketing 233 million euros. That’s a 17% gain from the 200 million euros it invested in the cash call. Monte Paschi’s recent strong share-price performance has in any case more to do with the improved economic outlook in Europe and rising interest rates than with any merit of its own.

☆ Italy's MPS to rejoin Milan's blue-chip index from March 20 - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ROME, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) (BMPS.MI) is set to rejoin the FTSE MIB blue-chip index on the Milan stock exchange after six years of absence, two market sources told Reuters on Monday. MPS is currently in the FTSE MID Cap index and left the blue-chip index in March 2017. At 1536 GMT, its stock was up by more than 3.6%, outperforming Italy's bank sub-index (.FTITLMS3010). One trader said MPS' stock has benefited from very high liquidity following November's 2.5-billion-euro new share issue, making it eligible for blue-chip status. At the same time, Italian cement maker Buzzi Unicem (BZU.MI) is "very likely" to be downgraded from the blue-chip to the FTSE MID Cap index, the trader said.

☆ Egypt court to rule soon in case over Intesa's local unit - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It did not mention AlexBank, though a sale of its remaining stake to Intesa is a possibility, one of the sources said. The sale was challenged in court by activist group, the Egyptian Centre for Transparency, local media reported. Egypt's constitutional court in mid-January ruled to uphold that law rejecting a challenge brought against it. A number of cases, including that centred around the sale of AlexBank, had been put on hold pending the decision on the law. Reporting by Patrick Werr in Cairo and Valentina Za in Milan; Editing by Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Intesa staff to test new digital business from March
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Italy's biggest bank Intesa Sanpaolo (ISP.MI) has told staff they can sign up to test from March 1 the app for the new digital lender it is setting up with British fintech Thought Machine, an internal document showed. Intesa last year unveiled plans to invest 5 billion euros ($5.3 billion) in technology under its 2022-2025 strategy, of which 650 million is destined to create its new digital arm called Isybank. Intesa has struck a five year partnership with Thought Machine, founder and CEO Paul Taylor told Reuters, making the Italian bank one of the biggest customers of the UK firm. Thought Machine will provide Isybank with the cloud infrastructure to serve 4 million customers under 40 who Intesa intends to migrate to online and mobile banking services. The trial phase would subsequently be expanded to include a wider group beyond staff members, the document reviewed by Reuters said.

☆ Saipem shares drop, group says cannot explain why
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MILAN, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Saipem (SPMI.MI) does not have any information explaining Monday's share movements, a spokesman for the Italian energy contractor said, after the stock closed down 5.7%. More than 10% of the share capital of the group was traded on the Milan stock exchange, according to Refinitiv data. In July a pool of lender bought Saipem's shares worth almost 600 million euros after a cash call fell short of the 2 billion euro target. BNP Paribas, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Intesa Sanpaolo and UniCredit were the joint global coordinators of the Saipem issue. Reporting by Francesca Landini and Giancarlo Navach, editing by Gianluca Semeraro and Gavin JonesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Warburg Pincus moves closer to buying a stake in Chinese fund Zhong Ou
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Italian banking group Intesa Sanpaolo (ISP.MI) disclosed in its 2021 annual report that its board had approved the sale of a 23.3% stake in Zhong Ou to Warbug Pincus. The planned 23.3% stake sale to Warburg Pincus was confirmed on Monday by a source familiar with the transaction. The CSRC did not say how big a stake Warburg Pincus will buy in Zhong Ou, which has more than 350 billion yuan ($51.3 billion) of assets under management (AUM). In the regulatory feedback, the CSRC asked Warburg Pincus to explain how it would support Zhong Ou's development. The regulator also requested further proof from Warburg Pincus that it's a leading global player with good international reputation and performance.

☆ Banco BPM wants to squeeze more long-term value from retailers' payment business
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MILAN, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Italy's third-largest bank Banco BPM (BAMI.MI) is keen to generate greater value longer-term from its retailers' payment business as it explores strategic options for the unit, its chief executive said on Saturday. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Assiom-Forex conference in Milan, Chief Executive Giuseppe Castagna said Banco BPM was considering ways to boost profitability at its business that provides payment services to shopkeepers. "What we certainly won't do is be selling future P&L (profit and loss) inflows to get cash upfront," Castagna said. "Like with our other businesses, we're looking for ... a model that creates more value for the bank," Castagna said without elaborating. Banco BPM recently agreed to sell a majority stake in its non-life insurance business to Credit Agricole (CAGR.PA), its single biggest investor with whom it already partnered in consumer credit.

Feb 1 (Reuters) - Grupo Mexico (GMEXICOB.MX), the conglomerate controlled by billionaire German Larrea, has secured a $5 billion debt package for its proposed acquisition of Citigroup Inc's (C.N) retail operations in Mexico, according to people familiar with the matter. The move represents a major milestone in Grupo Mexico's efforts to put together the deal for Banamex, the unit that encompasses the Citigroup assets. Several banks, including Barclays Plc (BARC.L) and HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA.L), have pledged to provide the debt financing, the sources said. Citi, Grupo Mexico, Barclays and HSBC declined to comment. Citi stepped back from conversations with Becker to prioritize a potential deal with Larrea, according to sources.

REUTERS/Evelyn HocksteinMEXICO CITY, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Citigroup <C.N> Chief Executive Jane Fraser is planning to meet with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a government spokesperson told Reuters on Friday, amid the bank's attempt to finalize the sale of its local unit. A spokesperson for Lopez Obrador, Jesus Ramirez, said he did not have further details on the meeting, and said it was subject to final confirmation. The planned meeting comes as Citi aims to sell its Mexican unit, Banamex, as part of the company's planned withdrawal of its retail services in the country after 20 years, first announced last January. Two bidders, which sources told Reuters were Mexican conglomerate Grupo Mexico and Banca Mifel, are vying for Citi's local unit, Lopez Obrador said in December. Reporting by Kylie Madry and Isabel Woodford; Editing by Stephen Eisenhammer, Cassandra Garrison and Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

European stocks have vastly outperformed their U.S. peers. The euro STOXX (.STOXXE) benchmark has beaten its U.S. peer, the S&P 500 (.SPX), by over 18 percentage points since September. "It's a very big move in European gas prices and that has dramatically improved the outlook. "Lower gas prices are surely a positive, but their rapid fall also tell us that they can rise just as fast should things go wrong. A closely watched index of European corporate credit (.MERER00) has seen its yield fall nearly 50 basis points this year.

Bonds also rose, mirroring hopes of a softer inflation report, and the U.S. dollar was near seven-month lows against a basket of currencies. Europe's STOXX 600 (.STOXX) equity benchmark index rose 0.6% to its highest since April 2022. Roberto Lottici, portfolio manager at Banca Ifigest, said he was concerned markets could potentially even react negatively to any big downside surprise in the U.S. CPI data. Foreign exchange markets elsewhere were quieter ahead of the U.S. CPI data while China's reopening kept a bid under Asia's currencies. The dollar index eased 0.1% to 103.06, not far from a seven-month low of 102.93 hit this week.

☆ ECB sets capital requirements for Monte dei Paschi for 2023, removes dividend ban
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] The entrance of the Monte dei Paschi bank headquarters is seen in Siena, central Italy, January 29, 2016. REUTERS/Max RossiMILAN, Dec 27 (Reuters) - The European Central Bank has set the minimum capital requirements for Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) (BMPS.MI) for next year and also removed a ban on the distribution of dividends, the lender said in a statement on Tuesday. The ECB told Monte dei Paschi it must maintain a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio - a measure of financial strength - of at least 8.8%, the statement added. The lender raised 2.5 billion euros ($2.6 billion) in cash in November, braving stormy markets with a new share issue. After a failed re-privatisation attempt last year, Monte dei Paschi is working to improve its appeal for a potential buyer under new CEO Luigi Lovaglio so as to allow the state to cut its 64% stake in a merger deal with a stronger rival.

☆ Enel signs state-backed credit line worth 12 bln euros
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Francesca Landini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Enel (ENEI.MI) and a pool of banks signed a 12 billion euro ($12.74 billion) credit facility to fund margin calls linked to the group's derivative trades, Italy's biggest utility said. The financing is 70% guaranteed by the Italian export credit agency SACE and has a term of about 18 months, Enel said on Friday. As anticipated by Reuters, the credit line is part of the Italian government's efforts to shield the country's utilities against volatility on energy markets. Other Italian utilities are expected to apply for the SACE guarantee scheme. Italy's second-biggest utility A2A (A2.MI) told Reuters on Tuesday it would tap the credit facility backed by the credit export agency in January.

☆ Stocks steady, yields rise as rate risks cloud 2023 outlook
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Danilo Masoni | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

By 1152 GMT, the index was broadly unchanged after a heavy week for rate increases on Friday sent it to its lowest point since Nov. 10. Long-term borrowing costs rose for a fourth straight session and short-dated yields remained not far off their highest levels in more than a decade. It wreaked havoc even on rate markets," said Carlo Franchini, head of institutional clients at Banca Ifigest in Milan. Ten-year Treasury yields rose 4 basis points (bps) to 3.522%. Gold inched 0.1% higher at $1,764 an ounce, as a softer dollar countered pressure from expectations of higher U.S. rates.

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