S&P Lifts BPER Banca's Outlook to Positive on Improving Efficiency, Revenue Diversification

12:27 AM EDT, 09/30/2026 (MT Newswires) -- S&P Global Ratings affirmed its senior unsecured and senior subordinated ratings on BPER Banca (BPE.MI) at BBB and BBB-, respectively, and revised the outlook to positive from stable. The outlook revision reflects S&P's expectations that the Italian lender will continue to improve its operating efficiency and revenue diversification, with return on average common equity projected to remain above 15% from 2026 to 2028, according to a Tuesday release. The rating agency also expects BPER Banca's ongoing consolidation to increase its scale and strengthen its position in the Italian market. S&P said it could raise BPER Banca's long-term issuer credit rating over the next 12 to 24 months if the bank demonstrates a material improvement in creditworthiness.