MNI BRIEF: Italian NPLs To Jump In 2023, Visco Warns

Italian banks’ non-perfoming loans could “grow significantly” in 2023 based on the most recent macroeconomic scenarios from the Bank of Italy, but the system should be able to absorb the shock, Governor Ignazio Visco said in a speech on Monday.

The governor asked banks to “review promptly” the scenarios used to classify loans and recognize losses without delay.

Risks focus on businesses most exposed to increases in energy prices, which would receive a double hit as the economy slows, he said.

The Italian banking system is well prepared, though some lenders could face “greater difficulties”, especially if worst scenarios materialise, Visco said. (MNI INTERVIEW2 (RPT): Italian Banks Ready For Basel-Signorini)