Italian banks and Atlante fund.
Italian banking is at a critical juncture. The large volume of non-performing loans (NPLs), uncertainties related to the first steps of the EU banking union and changes in the resolution framework are impairing confidence in the system. The bail-in of four regional banks at end-2015 was a wake-up call, prompting the government to sponsor the Atlante (Atlas) private equity fund to reduce the risk of further bail-ins.
Atlante is the last resort to avoid a potential meltdown of the Italian banking system.
The Treasury's estimate of the nominal NPL amount that the fund could buy is likely to prove optimistic.
Atlante is unlikely to boost NPL demand much, as this is a risky asset class to securitise, with high leverage.
