Mergers and Acquisitions in the European and Italian Banking Sector: An Analysis of Trends and Impacts

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the trend and impact of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the European and Italian banking sector. The study will provide a comprehensive overview of the M&A activity in the European banking industry and then focus on the Italian banking sector to provide a more in-depth analysis. The research will be based on both primary and secondary sources and will include a review of academic literature, regulatory data, and case studies. The findings of the study will highlight the key drivers and challenges of M&A in the banking sector and the impact of these transactions on stakeholders such as shareholders, employees, and customers. Additionally, the study will also assess the role of regulators and the impact of M&A on the stability and competition of the banking industry. The first chapter will provide a background to the study, including the context of M&A in the European and Italian banking sector and the research objectives and questions. The second chapter will review the academic literature on M&A in the banking sector, including the key drivers, challenges, and impacts of these transactions. The review will also highlight the theoretical frameworks and models used to analyze M&A in the banking industry. The third chapter will provide an overview of the M&A activity in the European banking sector, including the trends and key drivers of M&A. The chapter will also include a review of the regulatory framework and its impact on M&A in the European banking sector. The fourth chapter will provide an in-depth analysis of the M&A activity in the Italian banking sector, including a review of the key players and recent transactions. The chapter will also examine the challenges and opportunities of M&A in the Italian banking sector and the impact of these transactions on the stability and competition of the industry. The fifth chapter will include a review of selected case studies of M&A in the European and Italian banking sector. The case studies will provide a practical illustration of the key drivers, challenges, and impacts of M&A in the banking industry. The sixth chapter will summarize the key findings of the study and provide a conclusion on the trend and impact of M&A in the European and Italian banking sector. The chapter will also provide recommendations for future research in this area.