Banca Popolare di Lodi

Banca Popolare di Lodi

Company type	Cooperative bank
Industry	Banking
Founded	1864
Fate	Integrated into Banco Popolare in 2011; continued as a division and brand
Headquarters	Lodi , Italy
Area served	Italy
Parent	Banco Popolare (since 2007)

Banca Popolare di Lodi was an Italian cooperative bank headquartered in Lodi, Lombardy. In 2011, it was integrated into its parent entity, Banco Popolare, yet it continued to operate as a distinct division and brand.

History

Established in 1864, the institution evolved into Banca Popolare di Lodi S.c.r.l. during the 1990s and became widely recognized as the Bipielle Group (BPL).

Alliances

BPL participated in the ARCA alliance alongside banks such as Banca Antoniana, Banca Popolare Commercio e Industria, among others. In 1989, ARCA merged with the "North East Group," thereby broadening its reach. Subsequently, BPL acquired ARCA members BP Crema and Cremona, while Banca Popolare Veneta and Banca Antoniana combined to form Banca Antonveneta.

Acquisitions

The group grew through a series of acquisitions: Credito Molisano in 1998; Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca, Pisa, and Livorno in 1999; Imola in 2000; Banco di Chiavari e della Riviera Ligure in 2003; and Istituto di Credito delle Casse di Risparmio Italiane. It maintained a 19.99% shareholding in Südtiroler Sparkasse – Cassa di Risparmio di Bolzano until 2006–07 and held a significant stake in Banca Caripe from 2003 until 2011.

Between 2003 and 2006, its listed sub-holding company Reti Bancarie controlled major portions of subsidiaries such as Banca Popolare di Crema (95.01%), Cremona (94.81%), Mantova (56.35%), Banca Valori (77.70%), Bipielle Società di Gestione del Credito, and Bipielle International Holding, which managed international activities. The group adopted the new name Banca Popolare Italiana in 2005.

In 2004, Reti Bancarie formed a partnership with Aurora Assicurazioni from the Unipol Group, which also took a minority ownership position.

The bank became embroiled in the Bancopoli controversy following its divestment of shares in Banca Antonveneta during 2006.

As of 31 December 2006, BPL’s consolidated shareholders' equity stood at €3.956 billion, rising from €2.786 billion the previous year. The bank had issued 682 million shares and reported a Tier 1 capital ratio of 22.32%, significantly exceeding Basel II standards.

In September 2006, BPL integrated its sub-holdings Reti Bancarie and Bipielle Investimenti by issuing shares and delisting them; Aurora Assicurazioni received approximately 2% of BPL’s shares, with Unipol agreeing to transfer these holdings to Mediobanca.

As a subsidiary of Banco Popolare

In 2007, Banca Popolare Italiana merged with Banco Popolare di Verona e Novara, resulting in the creation of Banco Popolare S.C., while Banca Popolare di Lodi S.p.A. continued as a sub-holding entity. The bank reorganized its branch network alongside sister companies Banca Popolare di Novara and Banca Popolare di Verona – S.Geminiano e S.Prospero, concentrating efforts on Lombardy (in part), Romagna, and Sicily regions. CR Lucca was transferred to the parent company, whereas BP Crema, BP Cremona, and Liberty S.r.l. remained under BPL’s control. BP Mantova was sold off in 2008, followed by the sale of Banca Caripe on 1 January 2011.

In 2008, BPL revived CR Imola and Banco di Chiavari e della Riviera Ligure using their original brand names.

By the end of 2010 (31 December), BPL reported shareholders' equity amounting to €1.439 billion, slightly increased from €1.432 billion previously.

As a brand of Banco Popolare

In 2011, Banca Popolare di Lodi was integrated into Banco Popolare but continued to operate as a distinct division, which included the CR Lucca sub-division responsible for the Lodi area as well as regions previously served by Banco di Chiavari e della Riviera Ligure, Banca Popolare di Cremona, and Banca Popolare di Crema. The branches located in Sicily were overseen by Banco Popolare Siciliano, a unit within the bank's BPN division.