Monte dei Paschi shares suspended from trading

[January 23, 2013]  MILAN (AP) -- Shares in the world's oldest running bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, have been suspended from trading after reports claimed that its profits will be hurt by financial derivatives it has bought.

The bank has come under market scrutiny after the daily Il Fatto Quotidiano reported that a purchase of derivatives three years ago threatens to cut 2012 earnings by at least euro200 million ($293 million). The bank's former chairman, who reportedly approved the purchase, has resigned this week from the Italian banking association as a result.

Monte dei Paschi was suspended Wednesday from trading on the Milan Stock Exchange after dropping 8 percent to euro0.25.

The bank's board is to vote on Friday on capital increases that are key to clinching a government aid package of euro3.9 billion.

[Associated Press]

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