(FILES) The logo of the Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank is seen on the window of a branch in Rome on February 9, 2017. The head of Italy's Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena has on August 7, 2026, defended its value and strategic importance, saying it would "evaluate every strategic option" as the bank fights a hostile bid from rival Intesa Sanpaolo. The world's oldest bank posted a steep rise in profit in its second quarter as Chief Executive Luigi Lovaglio warned an Intesa merger would hurt not only shareholders but the Italian economy itself. (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP via Getty Images)