The takeover of Popolare: "Bper will give the local area the importance it deserves."

Valuing people and the region and, through a natural reorganization, preserving jobs without savage cuts. These are the hopes of the Valtellina residents in the wake of Bper's takeover of Popolare di Sondrio . According to the announcement, Bper's bids amounted to 58.35% of the shares involved in the transaction. The Emilia-based group thus holds a 58.49% stake in BPS. The takeover, which had been anticipated for some time, is causing concern for some, fearing that a giant like Bper might lose interest in BPS's territorial nature, as has happened in similar transactions.

Sondrio Province President Davide Menegola is confident: having acknowledged the takeover, he hopes BPER will implement the statements it made some time ago. "I'm hopeful, I hope BPER's management will behave like gentlemen and keep what they declared before the takeover attempt, regarding local focus and brand preservation. But I'm certain of it. I'm also confident that the transition will be painless and that the jobs of the current Banca Popolare di Sondrio employees will be maintained and safeguarded. I hope that some of the many satellite companies of the BPS group can remain headquartered in Valtellina. Finance has its rules, and, having acknowledged this, I reiterate my confidence that BPER's management team will give due importance to the local area in which Banca Popolare di Sondrio operates."

In the coming days, from July 21st to 25th, the offer period will be reopened: those who did not participate in the first round will be able to do so in this second window. The takeover has been successful: BPER, with over 58% of the shares, has operational control of BPS. All the necessary steps are in place to initiate the merger process between the two banks and close the transaction by the end of the year, as hoped by the Modena-based bank.

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