Italy is prioritising a potential merger of Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) and Banco BPM to reduce its shareholding in MPS, reported Reuters, citing sources. The government will retain its remaining 4.9% stake in MPS, as the bank proceeds with the integration of its recently acquired competitor, Mediobanca. Italy originally acquired a 68% stake in MPS following a 2017 bailout and has since reduced its share through a series of placements. The recent acquisition of Mediobanca by MPS, which was partly pa ...