Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena appoints financial institutions in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Banca Antonveneta

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena has appointed Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch as Joint Global Coordinators in connection with the financing of the acquisition of Banca Antonveneta for a total amount of Euro 9 billion, announced to the market on 8 November 2007, which contemplates:

• a capital increase with pre-emption rights offered to shareholders of Banca Monte dei Paschi for a maximum amount of Euro 5 billion;
• an issuance of new shares for a maximum amount of Euro 1 billion in connection with Tier 1 financial instruments;
• an issuance of subordinated debt instruments (Lower Tier 2) for a maximum amount of Euro 2 billion;
• an asset disposal bridge financing for a maximum amount of Euro 1.95 billion to be repaid by using the proceeds from the disposal of certain non strategic assets.

In particular:

• In connection with the capital increase, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch,Credit Suisse and Mediobanca will act as Joint Bookrunners and have undertakento Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena to underwrite the capital increase up to a maximum amount equal to Euro 2.5 billion;
• In connection with the Tier 1 financial instruments, JP Morgan will act as Lead Bookrunner and Goldman Sachs and Mediobanca will act as Bookrunners, andhave undertaken to Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena to place such instruments;
• In connection with the Tier 2 issuance, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse will act as Joint Bookrunners and have undertaken to Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena to underwrite such offering;
• In connection with the bridge financing, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynchwill act as Mandated Lead Arrangers while Credit Suisse and Mediobanca will act as Arrangers and have undertaken to Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena to underwrite such financing.

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, assisted by Merrill Lynch International and by Mediobanca as financial advisors, will act as Global Coordinator.

This announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia).

This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities referred to herein have not beenand will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in theUnited States, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. No public offering of securities is beingmade in the United States.