Today saw the beginning of the selection process to identify the financial and legal advisors who will assist the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance in identifying the best way to divest the controlling stake in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, providing such support throughout the implementation phases of the transaction.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Prime Ministerial Decree of 16 October 2020, the sale may be effected, in one or more stages, through the single or joint recourse to a public offering addressed to the public of savers in Italy, including the employees of the Banca MPS Group, and/or to Italian and international institutional investors, or to a direct negotiation to be carried out through transparent and non-discriminatory competitive procedures, or to one or more extraordinary transactions, including an integration transaction.

The Ministry's objective is the full enhancement of the participation, to be realised in the interest of the Bank and all its shareholders, taking into account the improved profitability and increased capitalisation, as well as the prospects for further development.