Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on January 13, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 19, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleBanco BPM plans to double board seats for minority investors, enhancing representation as Credit Agricole increases its stake above 20%.
MILAN, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Banco BPM is looking to increase seats reserved for minority shareholders as it prepares to appoint a new board, two sources said, after France's Credit Agricole strengthened its ties with the Italian bank.
Credit Agricole said late on Monday it had received European Central Bank approval to raise its stake in Banco BPM above 20%, cementing its position as a long-term shareholder in Italy's third-largest bank.
The main investor in BPM, Credit Agricole last year helped the Italian bank thwart a takeover attempt by UniCredit during a hectic consolidation wave in Italy.
It reiterated it will keep its holding below the mandatory takeover threshold. The government is due to change the threshold to 30% for all listed companies from 25% for large ones and 30% for smaller firms.
Banco BPM amended its board bylaws and sought ECB approval late last year, one source said. The changes double to six the number of directors minority shareholders can appoint to the 15-member board.
Currently, the outgoing board names up to 12 directors and minority investors at least three. A second source confirmed the increase without giving details.
The new board will be named in April with full-year results. Credit Agricole, which first invested in BPM in 2022 to protect commercial ties, now seeks stronger board representation after raising its stake, a third source said.
The outgoing board will file a list of candidates to appoint a majority of board members, including the chief executive and chairman. CEO Giuseppe Castagna, who has led BPM since the bank was formed in January 2017 from the merger of two regional lenders, is expected to be reappointed for another three years.
With its 20.1% stake, Credit Agricole could either back the outgoing board's list of nominees or file a separate one, which would reduce chances of board representation for fund shareholders, one investor said.
(Reporting by Valentina Za and Andrea Mandala; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Corporate governance refers to the systems, principles, and processes by which companies are directed and controlled, ensuring accountability and transparency in a company's operations.
Equity represents ownership in a company, typically in the form of shares. It signifies the value of an owner's interest in the business after all liabilities have been deducted.
Credit risk is the possibility of loss due to a borrower's failure to repay a loan or meet contractual obligations. It is a key consideration in lending.
A board of directors is a group of individuals elected to represent shareholders and oversee the activities and policies of a corporation.
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