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☆ UniCredit raises 2023 goals after stronger-than-expected quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Valentina Za | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

UniCredit forecast a 2023 profit above 6.5 billion euros ($7.2 billion), up from January guidance that broadly matched its 2022 result of 5.2 billion euros. Net profit in the first three months came in at 2.06 billion euros, well above an average analyst forecast of 1.3 billion euros in a bank-provided consensus, boosted by an 18% yearly jump in revenues. Net interest income in the quarter topped expectations rising 43.6% year-on-year to 3.3 billion euros. Net fees also unexpectedly strengthened 10.7% from the previous quarter, surpassing forecasts at 2.0 billion euros. "There are a number of opportunities we see across Europe [but] financially we still represent the best value proposition for our investors," he said.

☆ These Ukrainian veterinarians are risking their lives to care for dogs and cats in the war zone
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Gabriel Kinder | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

It wasn’t long before Ukrainian veterinarians Valentina and Leonid Stoyanov learned that many pets were locked in nearby homes. “After one, two weeks … neighbors just start hear (sic) how a lot of different animals around them screaming,” Valentina told CNN. The Stoyanovs began working with local police to access homes to rescue dogs and cats. “Each animal for us, it’s like members of our family,” Valentina said. “All our family – mother, father – have to leave Ukraine,” Leonid said.

☆ Generali's No.3 investor Caltagirone withholds backing for 2022 accounts
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, April 28 (Reuters) - Italian tycoon Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, the third-largest investor in Generali (GASI.MI), on Friday withheld his approval for the insurer's 2022 accounts, two sources said, after attempting to bring about a management shake-up last year. They proposed an alternative candidate for the job but lost out in the April 2022 shareholder vote. During the AGM, Donnet said those results put Generali "in an excellent position" to achieve all the targets of its plan to 2024. In April last year, at the height of the shareholder clash, the 2021 accounts got around 85% of AGM votes. Italy's Benetton family, with a 4.8% stake, also challenged Donnet who had the support of Generali's top shareholder Mediobanca (MDBI.MI), which holds 13% of the insurer.

☆ UniCredit to repay AT1 bond, says no need to issue more near term
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Valentina Za | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Investors' confidence in AT1 bonds has been rocked by a Swiss authorities' decision to wipe out $17 billion of Credit Suisse's CSGN.S AT1 debt under its takeover by UBS (UBSG.S), in a move that hit AT1 holders harder than shareholders. To do so, banks need approval from supervisors because such bonds, which are designed to help lenders withstand possible losses, count towards their capital buffers and banks would normally need to refinance them. A supervisory source told Reuters at the time that banks with strong capital ratios such as UniCredit did well to call AT1 bonds and prop up investor confidence. AT1 bonds were introduced in the wake of the global financial crisis to provide lenders with tools that could allow them to pass on losses to investors, shielding taxpayers. "UniCredit has limited need for TLAC/MREL fundingfor the remainder of this year and no need to issue AT1 instruments in the foreseeable future.

☆ Italy's FSI invests up to $110 million in debit card operator BANCOMAT
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, April 26 (Reuters) - Italian investment fund FSI has agreed to invest up to 100 million euros ($110 million) in debit card operator BANCOMAT to support its expansion in Europe. Under a new business plan drawn up by the company, its main shareholders and FSI, BANCOMAT will complete targeted acquisitions and build a new platform to offer clients a wider range of services and products. In early 2022, it invested in the payments business of cooperative banking group BCC ICCREA, acquiring a 60% stake in electronic payment company BCC Pay. The payments sector has been swept up in a wave of mergers and acquisitions as it seeks the financial muscle to keep up with technological advances while contending with the threat from new entrants. The accord comes after FSI last year signed a preliminary deal for an investment in BANCOMAT.

MILAN, April 26 (Reuters) - Italian unlisted cooperative banking group ICCREA is awaiting by the end of May offers for its insurance business which it values at up to 950 million euros ($1.05 billion) in total, sources with knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday. ICCREA bought out its partner Cattolica, an Italian insurer now owned by bigger peer Generali (GASI.MI), after their accord expired at the end of last year and was not renewed, the three sources said. Cattolica and ICCREA had agreed in 2019 to extend until the end of 2022 their partnership under a deal that saw Cattolica raise to 70% its ownership of their insurance joint-ventures BCC Vita and BCC Assicurazioni. Now in possession of 100% of its insurance business, ICCREA is working with adviser KPMG to select new partners for both its life- and non-life divisions, the sources said. ICCREA Director General Mauro Pastore said in February the bank expected to select one or more partners for its insurance business by the end of the year.

In May 2019, the trio bought the abandoned school, Bowtie High, for $100,000 and converted it into a 31-unit apartment building. Wig, Colucci, and Spanovich found a different bank and secured a $2 million mortgage, which they pay down at $12,129/month. In total, renovating the old school cost $3.3 million, an amount that the partners are still shocked by. Leasing started in October 2021 before renovations were even completedLeasing at Bowtie High started in October 2021, and within six months, the former high school had reached 100% occupancy. Bedrooms have a lot of natural light thanks to the old high school's large windows.

☆ We renovated a $100,000 abandoned high school into a 31-unit apartment building - take a look inside
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Valentina Duarte | Elham Ataeiazar | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe renovated a $100,000 abandoned high school into a 31-unit apartment building - take a look insideMillennials Adam Colucci, Jesse Wig and Dan Spanovich bought an abandoned high school in Homestead, Pennsylvania for $100,000 and turned it into a 31-unit apartment building. The renovation cost about $3.3 million and took 18 months to complete. Adam, Jesse and Dan are now in the process of turning a second school into an apartment building. 08:44 Tue, Apr 25 2023 1:52 PM EDT

☆ Banco BPM to work on revising business plan, improve targets
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

MILAN, April 20 (Reuters) - Banco BPM (BAMI.MI) will work on updating its strategic plan in the coming months and is confident it can improve its financial goals, Chief Executive Giuseppe Castagna said as shareholders prepare to hand him another mandate. Castagna, who has led Banco BPM since the 2017 merger that created Italy's third-largest bank, is set to be reappointed as shareholders vote on Thursday to name a new board. "One of our top priorities for the coming months will be to update our business plan on a stand-alone basis which, I'm sure, will be able to aim to improve the recently announced targets," Castagna told shareholders. Reporting by Andrea Mandala; writing by Valentina Za Editing by Keith WeirOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/2] A view shows the logo of Credit Suisse on a building near the Hallenstadion where Credit Suisse Annual General Meeting took place, two weeks after being bought by rival UBS in a government-brokered rescue, in Zurich, Switzerland, April 4, 2023. UBS and Credit Suisse declined to comment. What's more, UBS doesn't tend to lend to potential clients as Credit Suisse has often done, a move that can persuade some customers. "There are clearly parts of Credit Suisse that have had a bad culture," UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher told reporters on March 29. UBS ranked 14th advising on mergers globally last year, behind 11th placed Credit Suisse, according to data compiled by Dealogic.

☆ 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.

These kind of megadeals are at the vanguard of billions of dollars of annual spending on classic cars globally in a wave of investment in this alternative asset. "The track record of the past 30 years tells us classic cars have become a financial asset class we want our clients to have in their portfolios." [1/5] A general view of the classic car collection of Florian Zimmermann, owner of over 300 classic cars, in a warehouse in Lindau, Germany, April 5, 2023. "Electrification will favour classic cars," said Cristiano Bolzoni, head of Maserati's vintage car unit Maserati Classiche. "The classic car community has changed tremendously over the past five to 10 years," Zimmermann said.

"It feels like I'm starting a new chapter in my life, and I'm really excited for it," she says. Chi Baik, 26, lives on $27,000 a year as a Ph.D. student in Seattle. Baik knows most people will think $27,000 is "so little money," but says "I feel very grateful that I'm making that much, that I have a home to live in, especially in Seattle. The unhoused population is really large, and that makes me even more grateful for the money that I am making." She decided to pursue her doctorate earlier than she planned as a sort of break from the demanding work of teaching special ed during the pandemic era.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow a 26-year-old earning $27,000 in Seattle, Washington, spends her moneyChi Baik, 26, lives in Seattle, Washington, and earns $27,000 a year as a Ph.D. student. Baik used to work as a teacher outside Washington D.C., but moved to Seattle to get her Ph.D. in special education at the University of Washington. Despite earning less money and having higher living expenses, she is grateful for the money she is making and still finds ways to treat herself. 07:51 an hour ago

☆ Meet the real-life manager of the luxury hotel in Sicily where 'The White Lotus' was filmed, with rooms starting at $2,000 a night
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-09 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Lorenzo Maraviglia is the general manager of the hotel where "The White Lotus" Season 2 was filmed. He told Insider what the show gets right about his job and where it embellishes reality. That's because the renovated 14th-century convent overlooking the Ionian Sea was the central filming location of the hit-TV drama — and it's all hotel guests want to talk about. "It's funny because in "The White Lotus," Jennifer Coolidge gets killed on the cruise — so I don't know how inspiring that can be." Sabrina Impacciatore plays the hotel manager Valentina in "The White Lotus" season 2.

☆ 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.

☆ UniCredit CEO expects ECB to take 'balanced approach' on rate hikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

MILAN, April 6 (Reuters) - The head of Italy's UniCredit (CRDI.MI) expects the European Central Bank (ECB) to take a 'balanced approach' on interest rate hikes, acting on the basis of economic data as they become available given the high level of uncertainty. "I believe that in the end the (European) Central Bank will take a balanced approach, probably raising rates by more than what 'doves' would like, but by less than what 'hawks' would," CEO Andrea Orcel was quoted as saying by Il Messaggero daily on Thursday. Orcel added he expected the ECB's deposit rate could peak in the summer. Reporting by Federico Maccioni, editing by Valentina ZaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

By offloading some of the risk on their loans, the banks can significantly reduce how much capital they need to set aside to cover potential losses, according to law firm Clifford Chance. A bank can normally transfer risks of losses equivalent to around 7% to 12% of a loan portfolio, two market sources said. With synthetic structures, a bank transfers the risk via credit derivatives or guarantees but keeps holding the underlying exposures. The IFC sold BNP a $50 million guarantee on $1 billion of loans to emerging markets, they said, without disclosing terms. While Europe has been at the forefront for risk transfers, the stock of loans covered by SRTs is small relative to European banks' balance sheets.

The sources said one possibility that has been considered would see Amundi (AMUN.PA) spinning off its Italian operations into a separate company, in which UniCredit (CRDI.MI) could buy a stake. Azimut had 83 billion euros of assets under management (AUMs) at the end of February. Amundi, which is 69% owned by Credit Agricole, ranks third in Italy with 214 billion euros of AUMs as of end-February. UniCredit had 194 billion euros of AUMs at group level in December. "Extracting further value from partnerships on asset management, protection and payments remains another focus," they added.

Italy's bond, which marks its third green bond and matures on 30 October 2031, was priced to yield 4.056%. Elsewhere, Cyprus raised 1 billion euros from its first sustainable bond, the country's debt office said, becoming the latest European government to enter the market. Sustainable bonds are a broader form ESG debt, proceeds from which can be spent on both green and social projects. Cyprus follows a number of smaller countries including Slovenia and Luxembourg opting for sustainable bonds as they often struggle to find enough projects to back standalone green bonds. Leonidou said Cyprus expects to sell sustainable bonds every two or three years going forward.

☆ Europe banks can lose 38% of deposits before having to sell assets at a loss-research
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, March 29 (Reuters) - The average European bank could withstand a loss of 38% of its deposits without having to sell at a loss government bond holdings or have a fire sale of illiquid assets, Jefferies analysts said. "Most investor discussions end up at deposit flight risk and the extent to which this can be offset," it added. But investors are worried about the risk that banks may at some point be forced to sell their HTM securities. Jefferies analysed the ability of banks to quickly cover deposit outflows with minimal or no losses, against the level of retail deposits, which comprise 63% of the median bank's deposit base. Following are the results of Jefferies' liquidity analysis:Jefferies liquidity analysis of EMEA banksReporting by Valentina Za and Iain Whithers.

MILAN, March 25 (Reuters) - Italy's Treasury said it would confirm Luigi Lovaglio as chief executive of Monte dei Paschi di Siena , keeping the veteran banker in charge of the bank as turmoil shakes the industry. Monte dei Paschi (MPS) is due to appoint a new board of directors on April 20 and the Treasury, which owns 64% of MPS following a 2017 bailout, on Saturday said it had filed its slate of nominees for the board. He arrived at MPS just over a year ago, when the Treasury pushed out his predecessor. A merger also remains the preferred option of banking supervisors to buttress MPS' fragile profitability, a second source said. A failed attempt to sell MPS to UniCredit has forced Italy to seek more time from the EU to cut its stake.

☆ Italy to hand Monte dei Paschi CEO Lovaglio new mandate - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MILAN, March 25 (Reuters) - Italy's Treasury is set to hand veteran banker Luigi Lovaglio a new mandate as chief executive of state-owned lender Monte dei Paschi di Siena , two people with knowledge of the matter said. Lovaglio, who built his career at UniCredit (CRDI.MI) where he eventually rose to lead the group's former Polish unit Bank Pekao, arrived at Monte dei Paschi (MPS) just over a year ago, when the Treasury pushed out his predecessor. The state owns 64% of MPS following a 2017 bailout. Lovaglio, one of Italy's most experienced commercial bankers, in November oversaw a make-or-break 2.5 billion euro ($2.7 billion) capital raise which allowed MPS to bolster capital and fund voluntary layoffs. ($1 = 0.9295 euros)Reporting by Valentina Za and Valentina Za; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Pope extends sexual abuse law to include lay leaders
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/6] People reach out to touch Pope Francis' hand during his meeting with the faithful of parishes from Rho at the Vatican, March 25, 2023. REUTERS/Yara NardiVATICAN CITY, March 25 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Saturday updated rules on dealing with sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church, expanding their scope to include lay Catholic leaders and spelling out that both minors and adults can be victims. BishopAccountability.org, a not-for-profit organisation looking to document the abuses within the Roman Catholic Church, said the revision was "a big disappointment" and fell short of the "extensive revamping" the policy against the abuses would have required. The updated provisions have been unveiled a month after the Roman Catholic religious order of Jesuits said that accusations of sexual, psychological and spiritual abuse against one of its most prominent members were highly credible. Rupnik has not spoken publicly of the accusations, which have rattled the worldwide order, of which the pope is a member.

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