Milan, 2 February – Italy’s largest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, has unveiled its new strategic plan for 2026–2029, aiming to strengthen profitability, enhance shareholder returns, and accelerate digital investment. Under the plan, the bank targets a 25% increase in net profit, reaching approximately €11.5 billion (around $13.6 billion) by 2029, while distributing roughly €50 billion to investors over the same period.
The strategy prioritises cost reduction and fee-based income growth, aiming for an average annual revenue increase of 3%. Domestically, Intesa faces competitive constraints, particularly following its internal acquisitions in 2020, and it has deliberately avoided last year’s wave of banking sector consolidations.
On the international front, the bank plans to invest €200 million to expand wealth management services for high-net-worth clients in France, Germany, and Spain, signalling a strategic push into key European markets.
For the full-year 2025 financial results, Intesa reported a net profit of €9.3 billion, slightly above analysts’ expectations. Looking ahead, the bank anticipates net earnings of around €10 billion in 2026.
In terms of shareholder returns, Intesa will distribute €6.5 billion of last year’s profit as cash dividends and allocate €2.3 billion for share buybacks starting in July. Under the new plan, the bank intends to distribute 95% of net profit annually between 2026 and 2029, increasing the cash dividend payout ratio from 70% to 75%, with the remainder dedicated to share repurchases. From 2027, Intesa will assess additional distributions once per year.
The broader European banking sector has benefited from higher interest rates, boosting profitability and enabling significant returns to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks.
A key component of Intesa’s plan is improving efficiency, with the cost-to-income ratio targeted to fall to 36.8% by 2029, down from 42.2% in 2025, supported by an estimated €5 billion investment in technology and digital initiatives.
The table below summarises Intesa Sanpaolo’s principal financial objectives and strategic priorities:
| Metric | 2025 (Actual) | 2026–2029 Target | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net Profit | €9.3 billion | €11.5 billion+ | 25% increase targeted |
| Investor Distributions | €6.5 billion | ~€50 billion | Includes dividends and share buybacks |
| Cost-to-Income Ratio | 42.2% | 36.8% | Focus on cost efficiency |
| Technology Investment | – | €5 billion | Digital and technological development |
| Annual Revenue Growth | – | 3% | Driven by fee-based income |
Intesa Sanpaolo’s new strategic blueprint signals sustained growth, disciplined cost management, and shareholder-centric policies, positioning the bank to consolidate its leading role in the Italian and European banking landscape over the coming years.