The Italian group SANPAOLO IMI (consolidated profits EUR 1.05 billion in the first nine months of 2000) has signed an agreement for the purchase of 10.92% of the share capital of the regional Italian bank CARDINE BANCA for around 1,000 billion lira. In exchange, CARIVE will receive 27.5 million in SANPAOLO IMI shares, that is, around 2% of its capital.