Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, which is set to pay its first dividend in 13 years, has seen a share placement reduce the Italian Treasury's stake in the world's oldest bank to 26.7%. Investors acquired a 12.5% stake at €4.15 a share in the transaction, raising about €650 million, with the proceeds going to the government.
MPS endured a prolonged period of losses, capital shortfalls, and state intervention that stretched across more than a decade.
TREASURY STAKE REDUCTION
The Italian government has been reducing its MPS holding in stages. The placement at €4.15 per share brought the Treasury's ownership down to 26.7%. Rome has stated its intention to continue reducing its stake over time.
MPS has undergone restructuring over the past several years, including workforce reductions, non-performing loan disposals, and a strategic refocus on its core retail and corporate banking businesses in central Italy.
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