Brussels, 15/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - Taking the view that the operation did not raise any competition problems, the European Commission on 11 November authorised the acquisition, by Crédit Agricole (France), of Cassa di Risparmio della Spezia (Italy), which is indirectly controlled by the Italian banking group Intesa San Paolo, and of a network of 96 retail bank branches belonging to the same group. By means of this operation, which was notified on 20 September, the French bank, which already has a number of branches in Italy, will be able to acquire a solid base in the north and centre of Italy, particularly in Liguria, Lombardi, Tuscany and Lazio. A small number of branches will also be acquired in Venice and Emilia-Romagna, a region in which Crédit Agricole already has a presence. (F.G./transl.fl)