Agreement on Antonveneta

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena communicates that it has signed anagreement with Banco Santander for the purchase of Banca Antonveneta for an amount of Euro 9billion.

The transaction is conditioned to the approval of the relevant authorities. Banca Antonveneta is one of the ABN Amro ABN Amro attributed to Banco Santander, that hastaken part to the consortium together with Royal Bank of Scotland and Fortis for the public tenderoffer on ABN Amro recently concluded.

Interbanca, subsidiary of Banca Antonveneta, which operates as corporate bank, is not part of thissale.