French insurance group AXA S.A. announced the successful sale of 100,000,000 shares in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena S.p.A., representing ca.7.94% of the Italian Bank's share capital, at a price of EUR 2.33 per share (i.e. a total amount of 233 million euros) in an accelerated book built offering reserved to institutional investors.

Following the settlement and delivery of the offering, AXA will retain (directly or indirectly) 0.0007% of the Bank's share capital.

Previously, AXA S.A. owned a stake in Italian Bank amounting to 100,008,907 shares, representing ~7.94% of the Bank's share capital.

"As a long-standing joint venture partner of the Bank, AXA supported the Bank by participating in its most recent capital increase as a financial investment. As AXA does not wish to seek representation on the board at the Bank's upcoming Shareholders' Annual General Meeting, or influence the Bank's broader long-term strategy, AXA believes it is timely to sell its participation purchased in the capital increase", as AXA representatives mentioned in a statement.

"The offering does not impact in any way AXA's partnership with the Bank or AXA's commitment to the Italian market".