ROME -(Dow Jones)- The non-profit foundation that controls Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA (BMPS) says it has reached an accord with the lenders that hold its shares in Italy's No. 3 bank as collateral.
In a statement, Fondazione Monte dei Paschi di Siena said the deal allows it to sell some of the shares to cut debt.
Last month, the foundation approved a plan to sell up to 15% of the Siena-based bank.
Friday's statement also said that talks with parties on a separate total return swap deal continue and hope to be concluded "as soon as possible."
Sunday's edition of daily Il Sole 24 Ore reported, without citing its source, that the foundation may sell a stake of around 7% in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena this week.
-By Liam Moloney, Dow Jones Newswires; +39 06 6976 6924; liam.moloney@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 11, 2012 08:27 ET (12:27 GMT)
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