The Franco-Belgian finance group DEXIA has concluded a partnership agreement with the four main Italian "popolare" banks: BANCA POPOLARE DI BERGAMO, BANCA POPOLARE DI MILANI, BANCA POPOLARE DELL'EMILIA ROMAGNA, BANCA POPOLARE DI VERONA, with a view to selling them 40% of the capital of its subsidiary, CREDIOP, which is still held by SAN PAOLO IMI and on which it held an option. The amount of the transaction is EUR 1.033 billion. The four banks will each hold 10% of the capital.