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Italy: The Fallen Bank

March 31, 2014

Monte dei Paschi di Siena is the world’s oldest bank, and it is on the verge of collapse. This development has plunged Siena into crisis.

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Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena BMPS
Image: Reuters

For more than 500 years, Monte dei Paschi presided over the city. For generations, the venerable bank helped fund charities and civic works, including the famed Palio horse races. In 2012 it was revealed that the bank had strained its finances past their limit and had been concealing major losses. Now the city, which had a major stake in the foundation that was the bank’s main shareholder, is facing possible bankruptcy. And it fears that the scandal may harm Siena’s chances to be a 2019 European Capital of Culture.

Bildergalerie Nachhaltige Städte Siena
Image: cc-by-sa/Massimo Catarinella