Intesa Sanpaolo raised its 2026 net profit guidance for a second time and is preparing a takeover offer for smaller rival Monte dei Paschi di Siena, whose bid process is nearing a key stage. According to Sina Finance, the bank expects full-year net profit to significantly exceed €10 billion ($11.19 billion), citing higher commission and insurance income, stable costs, and a sharp decline in provisions, despite a tax burden of nearly €1 billion from Italy’s 2026 budget.

Intesa Sanpaolo reported third-quarter net profit of €2.645 billion, up from €2.37 billion a year earlier and above analysts’ €2.54 billion consensus, according to Visible Alpha. Operating revenue rose 4.2% to €6.92 billion, below the €7.03 billion consensus. The bank announced an interim dividend of €3.81 billion, or €0.22 per share, and said its 2026–2029 business plan was progressing at full speed as technology investment helped reduce costs.

The report also said Monte dei Paschi shareholders last week rejected a defense plan concerning UniCredit’s €31.4 billion takeover offer. The European Central Bank has approved the acquisition, while approval from Italian market and antitrust authorities was expected early next week; the offer’s acceptance period was due to begin later this month. UniCredit forecast that the combined group would post net profit of more than €16 billion in 2029 and return about €61 billion to shareholders over 2025–2029, €11 billion more than under its original business plan.