RAGUSA (ITALPRESS) – With the highest attendance ever, the Shareholders of Banca Agricola Popolare di Ragusa S.c.p.a. (“BAPR”) approved, in first call, the merger by incorporation of Banca Popolare Sant’Angelo S.c.p.a. (“BPSA”) into BAPR. On the occasion, the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of BAPR also approved the free allotment of treasury shares announced in the aforementioned press release last August 30. Specifically, the Board of Directors was authorized to allot treasury shares free of charge to all shareholders in the ratio of 1 free share for every 25 shares held by each individual shareholder as of the date of the allotment, which will be punctually identified by the Board of Directors itself and, in any case, up to a maximum total of 1,050,000 shares. The allotment shall be executed in the period between December 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025. Upon the completion of the merger by incorporation of BPSA into BAPR, the allotment will take place in favor of all BAPR shareholders as well as BPSA shareholders who have subscribed to the transaction. “We are extremely proud of the extraordinary participation of our shareholder base at today’s Shareholders’ Meeting, the highest ever. This marks a historic moment for our Bank and for the Sicilian territory,” comments Arturo Schininà, Chairman of the Board of Directors. The approval of the merger by incorporation of Banca Popolare Sant’Angelo and the birth of BAPS represent not only an important step forward in the creation of a single Sicilian banking entity, but also a strong signal of the trust our Shareholders place in the strategic vision we are building together. I am also particularly pleased with the approval of the free distribution of shares, a concrete signal of recognition of value to our Shareholders, who find their adherence to our evolutionary path rewarded. I would like to thank everyone who made this achievement possible, from the Bank’s governing bodies to Employees and Shareholders. Together we are writing a new page of history for the Sicilian banking system. “Today we celebrate an extraordinary result, the result of intense and shared work. The birth of BAPS opens a new phase of development and growth for our Institute, which is increasingly becoming a point of reference for the Sicilian economy. BAPS will be a stronger bank, more innovative and able to grow over time in a sustainable and supportive way,” emphasizes Saverio Continella, CEO. “In addition, the merger will strengthen our ability to serve the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, families and local communities throughout Sicily. We will be increasingly competitive, able to take advantage of synergies and optimize resources. With the birth of BAPS, we are committed to holding firm to the values of tradition and closeness to the territory, with an eye to the future, strong with a new identity and a solid growth project. Sicily finally has its own bank.”
– Photo: Comin & Partners – (ITALPRESS).
