I can confirm we’re interested in the file. I can’t say in which manner we are, Alain Berry of Credit Agricole is quoted by Dow Jones as saying.
Analysts cited in Dow Jones estimate the value of the 198 branches to reach approximately E1.5 billion.
However, according to AFX News, Credit Agricole is only one of reportedly 10 financial institutions interested in the possible purchase of the Italian bank’s branches.
The French bank already has a large branch network in Italy following the acquisition of Cariparma and FriulAdria from Intesa Sanpaolo last year, AFX News revealed.
The Italian bank has not disclosed whether the sale of the branches will be in a single block or in separate batches.
