The American Magazine Global Finance

Intesa Sanpaolo Group, the primary shareholder of Alex bank, has been awarded the Best Bank in Italy by the American magazine Global Finance in the category Global Finance World’s Best Developed Markets Banks 2013. Global Finance, assisted by leading financial analysts and figures in the corporate and banking world, examined major banks throughout the world. Objective criteria considered included growth in assets, asset quality, profitability, geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business development and innovation in products.

The assessment also included the opinions of leading equity analysts, credit rating analysts and foreign exchange experts. Global Finance’s publisher Joseph D. Giarraputo, said, “This year’s winning banks have on thing in common, a focus on responding to the needs of their customers.” Giarraputo added, “Specific market conditions certainly vary from region to region, but overall conditions for the global financial market remain difficult. These banks are being recognized for outstanding accomplishments in the face of adversity.” Enrico Cucchiani, CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo, stated, "I am proud of this recognition to Intesa Sanpaolo as a benchmark player in the market. In light of the difficult and highly volatile landscape, Intesa Sanpaolo decided to pursue a prudent strategy and defined a set of clear managerial priorities privileging balance sheet and liquidity strength to achieve sustainable profitability. Notwithstanding the Italian recessionary environment, the Group is performing in line or better than main European peers on most indicators, and performance will continue to be our ‘North Star’”. “Moreover, we are one of the few banks in the world already Basel 3 compliant”, he reminded. Intesa Sanpaolo is active in over 40 countries around the world. Through the controlled banks, headed by the International Subsidiary Banks Division, the Group provides strategic coverage of retail, commercial and corporate banking services through more than 1,500 branches in 12 countries in Central-Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, serving more than 8.3 million customers. Furthermore, thanks to a chain of branches, management offices and specialized banks in the corporate banking business, Intesa Sanpaolo is present in 29 countries, supporting cross border activities, through the International Corporate & Investment Banking Division.