BDM Banca acquisition sparks fears of banking desertification and investor fraud

The potential acquisition of BDM Banca has raised significant concerns regarding banking desertification and the protection of small savers. In the Abruzzo region, particularly in the province of Teramo, there is growing apprehension that the reorganization could lead to the closure of branches in small towns. Currently, BDM Banca is the sole banking presence in 16 municipalities in Abruzzo and one in Molise.

In Bari, small savers previously associated with the former Banca Popolare di Bari are organizing flash mobs and press conferences to protest the sale. These groups express fear that the transition to a new owner, such as Credem, may occur without sufficient guarantees for their rights. Protesters have criticized the perceived detachment of political institutions and the Italian state regarding the potential loss of assets and the impact on Southern Italian economies.