BPER Banca S.p.A. with head office in Via San Carlo 8/20, Modena, Italy – Tax Code and Modena Companies Register no. 01153230360 – Company belonging to the BPER BANCA GROUP VAT no. 03830780361 – Share capital Euro 3,136,702,715.30 - ABI code 5387.6 - Register of Banks no. 4932 - Member of the Interbank Deposit Protection Fund and of the National Guarantee Fund - Parent Company of the BPER Banca S.p.A. Banking Group registered in the Register of Banking Group no. 5387.6 - PEC: bper@pe c.gruppobper.it - bper.it –
group.bper.it
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
Articles of Association updated with the amendments resolved by the Board of Directors at the meeting held on 5 August 2026, by virtue of the delegat ed power granted to it by the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on 19 April 2024
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This is a translation into English of the original in Italian. The Italian text shall prevail over the English version.
Page 1 of 25
ESTABLISHMENT, OBJECTS,
DURATION AND
REGISTERED OFFICES
Article 1
1. The Company is called BPER Banca S.p.A., which can be abbreviated to “BPER Banca”. When using brands and logos, the words that make up the name can be combined with each other, even in different ways. The Company can use, as brands and logos, names and/ or trademarks used from time to time by itself and/or by companies that have been absorbed by it.
2. The Company is governed by the applicable legislation and the regulations contained in these Articles of Association.
Article 2
1. The Company’s corporate objects include the taking of deposits and the provision of loans in their various forms, both directly and through subsidiary companies.
2. The Company pays particular attention to the enhancement of local resources in the areas where it is present through its own distribution network and that of the Group.
3. As the Parent Company of the “BPER Banca S.p.A.” Banking Group, which can be abbreviated to “BPER Banca Group”, as defined in art. 61 of Legislative Decree 385 of 1 September 1993, the Company carries out management and coordination activities and issues directives to the members of the Group for implementation of the instructions received from th e Bank of Italy and other Supervisory Authorities in the interests of the Group ’s stability.
Article 3
1. The duration of the Company is fixed until 31 December 2100, and may be extended.
Article 4
1. The registered offices of the Company are in Modena. Subject to receipt of the required authorisations, the Company may open or close branches and representative offices in Italy and abroad.
SHARE CAPITAL, SHAREHOLDERS AND SHARES
Article 5
1. Share capital, fully subscribed and paid in, amounts to Euro 3,136,702,715.30 and is represented by 2,086,184,466 registered ordinary shares, with no nominal value.
2. If a share becomes the property of several persons, the joint ownership rights must be exercised by a common representative.
3. Within the limits established by current regulations, the Company, by resolution of the Extraordinary Shareholders ’ Meeting can issue categories of shares carrying different rights with respect to the
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This is a translation into English of the original in Italian. The Italian text shall prevail over the English version.
Page 2 of 25 ordinary shares, and may determine such rights, as well as financial instruments with equity or administrative rights.
4. All the shares belonging to the same category carry the same rights.
5. The Board of Directors at the meeting held on 11 July 2019, by virtue of the delegation attributed to it by the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on 4 July 2019, pursuant to Article 2420 -ter of the Italian Civil Code, to be exercised by 31 Decemb er 2019, has resolved to issue an Additional Tier 1 convertible bond, for a total nominal amount equal to Euro 150,000,000.00, to be entirely offered in subscription to Fondazione di Sardegna, with the exclusion of option rights pursuant to Article 2441, paragraph 5, of the Italian Civil Code, at a subscription price higher than par value equal to Euro 180,000,000.00, and, consequently, to resolve a paid capital increase, in one or more tranches and in divisible form, for a maximum total amount equal to Eur o 150,000,000.00, including a share premium equal to Euro 42,857,142, to service exclusively and irrevocably the conversion of the abovementioned Additional Tier 1 bond through the issue of a maximum of no. 35,714,286 ordinary shares of the Company, withou t explicit par value, with regular dividend rights and the same features as the ordinary shares of the Company outstanding at the issue date. On 19 April 2024, the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting granted the Board of Directors the power to integrate, pursuant to Article 2420 -ter of the Italian Civil Code, the share capital increase already resolved by the Board itself on 11 July 2019, by issuing, in one or more tranches, by the expiration date of the conversion period provided for by the Regulation of the aforementioned bond, up to a maximum of no. 30,000,000 additional ordinary shares of the Company to exclusively and irrevocably service the same Additional Tier 1 bond, due to the adjustment of the relevant conversion price . At its meeting on 5 August 2026, the Board of Directors resolved to partially exercise the above delegated power, approving the issuance, in one or more tranches and in divisible form, of up to an additional 3,000,000 ordinary shares with no nominal value, for the purpose of exclusively and irrevocably servicing the conversion of the aforementioned Additional Tier 1 bond, by no later than 25 July 2027.
6. The Extraordinary Shareholders ’ Meeting held on 4 July 2019 granted the Board of Directors, pursuant to Article 2443 of the Italian Civil Code, the power, for a period of five years from the date of the shareholders ’ meeting resolution, to resolve a paid capital increase, one or more time and in one or more tranches, with the exclusion of option rights pursuant to Article 2441, paragraph 4, and/or Article 2441, paragraph 5, of the Italian Civil Code, for a maximum tot al amount equal to Euro 13,000,000.00, including any share premium to be determined pursuant to Article 2441, paragraph 6, of the Italian Civil Code, by issue of a maximum number of 2,500,000 ordinary shares of the Company, without express par value, whose issue value may also be lower than the accounting par value existing at the relevant issue date, with regular dividend rights and the same characteristics as the ordinary shares of the Company outstanding at the issue date.
Article 6
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This is a translation into English of the original in Italian. The Italian text shall prevail over the English version.
Page 3 of 25 1. The Company can ask, at any time and at its own expense, to the authorised intermediaries, through a centralised management company, the identification data of shareholders who have not expressly prohibited communication of the same, together with the n umber of shares registered on their accounts.
2. If the same request is made by shareholders, the provisions of current legislation apply, also with reference to the minimum shareholding for the submission of the application, with costs equally shared between the Company and its applicant shareholders , where not otherwise determined by law.
Article 7
1. Withdrawal is only allowed in the cases envisaged by law, except in cases of extension of the duration of the Company and the introduction or removal of restrictions on the circulation of shares.
2. The provisions currently in force apply to the redemption of the shares held by the withdrawing shareholder.
OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY
Article 8
1. In order to achieve its corporate objects, the Company, directly or through its subsidiaries, may in compliance with current regulations carry out all permitted banking and financial operations and services, as well as all other operations that are usef ul or in any case related to the achievement of its objects.
2. The Company may issue bonds, including those convertible into shares, in compliance with the applicable legislation.
CORPORATE BODIES OF THE COMPANY
Article 9
1. Having regard for the duties imposed by law and the following provisions, the corporate functions are carried out by:
a) the Shareholders ’ Meeting;
b) the Board of Directors;
c) the Chairman of the Board of Directors;
d) the Executive Committee;
e) the Chief Executive Officer;
f) the Board of Statutory Auditors;
g) General Management.
SHAREHOLDERS ’ MEETING
Article 10
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This is a translation into English of the original in Italian. The Italian text shall prevail over the English version.
Page 4 of 25 1. The shareholders meet in ordinary or extraordinary session.
2. Meetings are held at the location specified in the notice of calling, on condition that this is in Italy.
3. The Meeting is held at a single calling. However, the Board of Directors can decide to call a Meeting at first, second or - for Extraordinary Shareholders ’ Meetings only - also at third calling. This decision has to be disclosed in the notice of calling.
4. The meetings are valid if held using remote communication systems, if this is provided for in the notice of calling, on condition that the identity of the persons entitled to attend is assured and that all participants are able to intervene in real time in discussions about the matters on the agenda, as well as to vote on the resolutions.
5. The Shareholders ’ Meeting is called by the Board of Directors, through a notice of calling, within the time-scale and manner established by current regulations. The Meeting may also be called by the Board of Statutory Auditors, or by at least 2 (two) Statutory Auditors, in the circumstances established by law.
6. The Board of Directors must call a Shareholders ’ Meeting, without delay, on receipt of written application by sufficient shareholders that on the date of the request represent, individually or jointly, the minimum amount of capital for this purpose required by law. The application must be accompanied by the deposit of the certificates of participation in the centralised share management system, confirming the applicants ’ right to make such a request.
7. On the basis, with the timing and within the limits established by law, members representing, individually or jointly, the minimum capital required for this purpose by current regulations may, by written request, ask to integrate the list of matters to be discussed at the Shareholders ’ Meeting, specified in the notice of calling, or to submit proposed resolutions on matters already on the agenda.
The application must be accompanied by the deposit of a copy of the communications of the authorised intermediaries, confirming the applicants ’ right to make such a request. Adding to the list of matters to be discussed pursuant to this paragraph cannot include matters for which, by law, the Meeting adopts resolutions based on a proposal from the directors, or based on a draft or a report prepared by them.
Article 11
1. The Ordinary Shareholders ’ Meeting must be called at least once each year, within 120 (one hundred and twenty) days of the end of the financial year.
2. The Ordinary Shareholders ’ Meeting:
on the reasoned proposal of the Board of Statutory Auditors, appoints the Independent Auditors from among the registered auditing firms, determines their fees and any criteria for fee adjustments during their period of office; can, under certain circumstan ces, revoke their appointment, having consulted with the Statutory Auditors;
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This is a translation into English of the original in Italian. The Italian text shall prevail over the English version.
Page 5 of 25 determines, in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, the remuneration payable to the directors. The remuneration of directors that perform special duties pursuant to the Articles of Association is established by the Board of Directo rs, having heard the opinion of the Board of Statutory Auditors;
determines the fees payable to the Statutory Auditors;
approves the remuneration policies in favour of the bodies with supervisory, management and control functions and the staff;
approves any remuneration plans based on the use of financial instruments;
approves the criteria for calculating any special remuneration to be awarded in the event of early termination of employment or stepping down ahead of schedule, including the limits set on such remuneration in terms of the number of years of the fixed port ion of remuneration and the maximum amount that derives from applying these criteria;
has the power to resolve, with qualified majorities required by current supervisory regulations, a ratio between the variable and fixed element of individual staff remuneration higher than 1:1, but not exceeding the maximum established in such regulations;
approves the Shareholders’ Meeting Regulations;
resolves on all other matters reserved for it by law.
3. The Extraordinary Shareholders ’ Meeting resolves on all matters reserved for it by law.
4. Persons who have the right to vote are entitled to attend the Meeting if the Company has received, by the legal deadline, communication from the authorised intermediary certifying this right.
5. Each ordinary share carries the right to one vote.
6. Those who have the right to vote may be represented at the Meeting in compliance with the applicable regulations. The proxy can be notified electronically through the use of the appropriate section of the Company ’s website or by e -mail, as indicated in the notice of calling.
7. Postal voting is not allowed.
8. In accordance with current regulations, the Board of Directors can allow votes to be cast before and/or during the Shareholders ’ Meeting, without requiring the physical presence of the person or their proxy, through the use of electronic devices in ways to be communicated in the notice of calling of the Shareholders ’ Meeting, such as to ensure the identification of those who have the right to vote and security of communications.
9. Members of the Board of Directors may not vote on resolutions regarding their responsibility for actions.
Article 12
1. As regards the quorum needed to constitute a General Meeting, current regulations apply.
Article 13
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This is a translation into English of the original in Italian. The Italian text shall prevail over the English version.
Page 6 of 25 1. The Meeting is chaired by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or by his alternate pursuant to the Articles of Association or, failing this, by the person elected by those present. The Chairman of the Meeting checks that the Meeting is quorate, verifi es the identity and rights of those present, moderates the business conducted and determines the results of voting.
2. Except when the minutes of the Meeting are drawn up by a notary pursuant to art. 16 paragraph 2, the Secretary of the Ordinary Meeting is the Secretary of the Board of Directors or, if absent, another person appointed by the Meeting.
3. The Chairman selects 2 (two) or more scrutineers from among those present.
Article 14
1. For shareholders ’ resolutions to be valid, current legal regulations shall apply, without prejudice to arts. 18, 19, 20, 3 1, 32 and 3 3.
Article 15
1. If discussion of the agenda is not completed in one session, the Chairman may adjourn the Meeting for not more than eight days by making a declaration to those present, without any need for further notice to be given.
2. In the second session, the Meeting is quorate and adopts resolutions with the same majorities that were applied to establish the quorum and the validity of the resolutions for the Meeting that is being continued.
Article 16
1. The resolutions adopted at the Meeting must be recorded in the minutes, prepared by the Secretary, that are signed by the Chairman, the Secretary and the scrutineers, if appointed.
2. In the circumstances required by law and when considered appropriate by the Chairman, the minutes are taken by a notary appointed by the Chairman, who acts as Secretary to the Meeting.
3. The Minute Book of the Meetings and extracts from it, the conformity of which is certified by the Chairman or authenticated by a notary, represent evidence of the business and the resolutions adopted at the Meetings.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Article 17
1. The Board of Directors comprises 15 (fifteen) directors elected at the Meeting.
2. The members of the Board of Directors remain in office for three years and their mandate expires on the date of the Meeting called to approve the financial statements for the last year of their appointment. They can be re -elected.
3. The composition of the Board of Directors has to ensure gender balance and the minimum number of independent members in accordance with current regulations.
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This is a translation into English of the original in Italian. The Italian text shall prevail over the English version.
Page 7 of 25 4. Directors who meet the independence requirements established by article 148, paragraph 3, of Legislative Decree 58 of 24 February 1998, as well as by the regulations in force implementing article 26 of Legislative Decree 385 of 1 September 1993, are reg arded as independent (hereinafter, the “Independence Requirements ”). The independent members of the Board of Directors must also meet the independence requirements defined by the current Corporate Governance Code for Listed Companies issued by Borsa Italiana SpA. It is up to the Board of Directors to define the parameters based on which it is assessed whether the relationships maintained by directors have compromised their independence.
5. The members of the Board of Directors must meet the requirements and eligibility criteria, as well as comply with the limits on the number of positions held, as provided for by current legislation on offices held by a member of the management body of a bank issuing shares listed on regulated markets; subsequent failure to meet these requirements and criteria shall lead to ineligibility or loss of office.
6. During their term of office, the Directors shall immediately inform the Board of Directors of any situation that may affect the assessment of their eligibility to hold office.
7. Without prejudice to the other reasons for ineligibility, incompatibility and loss of office established by current regulations:
a) the following persons cannot be members of the Board of Directors: (i ) Company employees, unless they are the General Manager, where appointed; (ii) the directors, employees or members of supervisory committees, commissions or bodies of competing banks or companies, unless the Company holds investments in such banks or comp anies, whether directly or via companies that are members of the Banking Group;
b) the existence of a reason of incompatibility under letter a) shall not prevent the candidate from standing for the office of Company director, it being understood that by accepting the candidature, the candidate undertakes the obligation to immediately ter minate said reason if he/she is appointed;
c) in the event that a reason of incompatibility under letter a) occurs after the appointment, the interested person shall immediately notify the Board of Directors and, if said reason is not removed within 30 (thirty) days from the notification or within any shorter time laid down by current regulations, he/she shall cease to hold office.
8. If a Director no longer meets the Independence Requirements or other requirements foreseen under current law or under the Articles of Association, providing they do not envisage ineligibility or loss of office, this does not automatically lead to his/her loss of office , if there is still the required minimum number of Directors who meet them.
Article 18
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This is a translation into English of the original in Italian. The Italian text shall prevail over the English version.
Page 8 of 25
1. The members of the Board of Directors are elected from lists presented by the members in which the candidates are listed with a progressive number.
2. The presentation of lists has to satisfy the following requirements:
a) the list has to be presented by members who separately or together hold BPER shares representing not less than 1% of the share capital represented by ordinary shares, or any other lower percentage established by current regulations. Ownership of the minimu m shareholding is calculated with regard to the shares registered on the day when the list is filed at the
Company;
b) the list must contain a number of candidates not higher than the number of directors to be
elected,
c) the list that contains a number of candidates equal to 3 (three) , must submit at least 1 (one) candidate belonging to the less represented gender; the list that contains a number of candidates higher than 3 (three) must submit a number of candidates belonging to the less represented gender to ensure that the list complies with the gender balance at least to the minimum extent required by law, rounding up to the next unit in the event of a fractional
number;
d) the list must submit at least a third of candidates, who meet the Independence Requirements, rounding up to the next unit in the event of a fractional number;
e) the list must be filed at the Company ’s registered offices within the terms and methods established by current regulations;
f) together with the list, the presenting members must file at the Company ’s registered offices all of the documents and declarations required by law, and in any case: (i ) the declarations from each candidate accepting their candidature and confirming, under their own responsibility, the absence of reasons for which they cannot be elected or other incompatibilities, and that they meet the requirements for appointment estab lished by these Articles of Association and by current regulations and whether they meet the Independence Requirements; (ii) a full description of the personal and professional characteristics of each candidate, with an indication of the directorships and audit appointments held in other companies; (iii) information on the identity of the members presenting the lists, indicating their percentage shareholding, to be confirmed according to the terms and methods established by current regulations.
3. The status of candidate belonging to the less represented gender and that of candidate that satisfies the Independence Requirements can be combined in the same person.
4. The lists submitted without complying with the above terms and conditions will be considered as not submitted and will not be admitted to the vote.
5. Any irregularities on the list that relate to individual candidates only entail the exclusion of the candidate(s) concerned.
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This is a translation into English of the original in Italian. The Italian text shall prevail over the English version.
Page 9 of 25 6. Each member may not present or contribute to the presentation of more than a list of candidates, even if through a third party or through a trust company; a similar requirement applies for members belonging to the same group - meaning the parent company , its subsidiaries and the companies subject to joint control - or who are parties to a shareholders’ agreement regarding the shares of the Company. In the event of non -compliance, signature is ignored in relation to all lists.
7. Each candidate may only appear on one list or, otherwise, will be ineligible for election.
8. Persons entitled to vote cannot vote more than one list of candidates, even if through an intermediary or through trust companies.
9. None of this prejudices any other, different requirements under current regulations concerning the basis and timing for the presentation and publication of lists.
Article 19
1. The members of the Board of Directors will be elected by applying the following procedures.
2. If more than one list is validly presented, the provisions in paragraphs 2.1 to 2.8 apply.
2.1. Without prejudice to the provisions of art. 18, paragraph 6, the following is taken into considerations: (i ) the list that has received the highest number of votes; (ii) the list that is second for the number of votes received, provided that it is not connected - not even indirectly - with the shareholders that presented or voted the list that received the high est number of votes, or, in the event that it is connected, the list that has received the highest number of votes among those that are not connected; and (iii) the other lists that individually obtained votes equal to at least 5% of the share capital with voting rights, provided that they are not connected - not even indirectly aa) with the shareholders who presented or voted the list which came first by number of votes or (bb) with the shareholders who presented or voted any of the other minority lists, i ncluding the one which came second by number of votes, if, in the hypothesis described in letter (bb), the total number of candidates assigned to these lists on the basis of the mechanism referred to in paragraph 2.2 is equal to or higher than the majority of the directors to be elected.
2.2. The votes obtained from each of the lists are subsequently divided by one, two, three, four and so on until reaching the number of Directors to be elected. The quotients thus obtained are assigned to the candidates on each list, according to the progr essive order of the list. On the basis of the quotients thus assigned, the candidates are arranged in a single decreasing ranking and the first 15 (fifteen) candidates are considered elected.
2.3. If the first list, provided that it contains a number of candidates equal to or higher than the majority of the directors to be appointed, has obtained a number of votes representing more than half of the share capital with voting rights, the Board seats will be allocated as follows:
a) if the ratio between the total number of votes received by the second list by number of votes, which is not connected in any way, not even indirectly, with the first list by number of votes, and the total number of votes received by the first list by numbe r of votes, is less than or equal to 15%, 14
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Page 10 of 25 (fourteen) Directors are taken from the first list by number of votes and 1 (one) Director is taken from the second list by number of votes;
b) if the ratio between the total number of votes received by the second list by number of votes, which is not connected in any way, not even indirectly, with the first list by number of votes, and the total number of votes received by the first list by numbe r of votes, is above 15% and less than or equal to 25%, 13 (thirteen) Directors are taken from the first list by number of votes and 2 (two) Directors are taken from the second list by number of votes;
c) if the ratio between the total number of votes received by the second list by number of votes, which is not connected in any way, not even indirectly, with the first list by number of votes, and the total number of votes received by the first list by numbe r of votes, is above 25%, 12 (twelve) Directors are taken from the first list by number of votes and 3 (three) Directors are taken from the second list by number of votes.
If the first list by number of votes received presents fewer candidates than those assigned to it based on the application of the mechanism referred to in this paragraph, provided that they are equal to or greater than the majority of the directors to be a ppointed, the following are elected: (i ) all of the candidates on the first list by number of votes; (ii) the candidates on the second list by number of votes needed to complete the Board of Directors, according to the progressive order of the list. Where it is not possible to complete the Boar d of Directors in the manner described above, due to the fact that the first list and the second list by number of votes present fewer candidates than the number required, the following procedure applies: if the other lists, other than the first and second list by number of votes, have obtained a total of at least 5% of the share capital having voting rights, the Directors required to complete the Board of Directors are drawn from these other lists, starting with the list with the highest number of votes an d moving down to the subsequent lists when the candidates on the preceding lists by number of votes run out. In all cases where it is not possible to complete the Board of Directors by following the above instructions, the Shareholders’ Meeting shall provi de for its completion, as laid down in subsequent paragraph 2.5.
2.4. In any case, the first ranking candidate in the list that has obtained the highest number of votes among those that are not connected - not even indirectly - with the shareholders who have submitted or voted for the list that obtained the highest numb er of votes shall always be appointed Director.
2.5. If, as a result of the provisions of paragraphs 2.1 to 2.4, it is not possible to complete the Board of Directors, the remaining Directors are elected by the Shareholders’ Meeting on the basis of candidates who are put to the vote individually: the ca ndidates who receive the highest number of votes will be elected, up to the total number of directors still to be elected.
2.6. If, once the ranking has been completed at the end of the procedure as per previous paragraphs 2.1 to 2.5, the correct composition of the Board of Directors is not ensured with regard to gender balance and Independence Requirements, as many elected ca ndidates as necessary will be excluded,
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Page 11 of 25 replacing them with candidates meeting the requirements that are missing and drawn from the same list as the candidate to be excluded, according to the order in which they are listed. Substitutions take place first for the less represented gender and then those who satisfy the Independence Requirements. This substitution mechanism is applied firstly, in sequence, to the lists that have not contributed a Director who meets the missing requirement, starting with the one that received the most votes. If this is not sufficient or if all lists have contributed at least one Director who meets the requirement that is missing, the substitution is to be applied, in sequen ce, to all lists, starting with one that received the most votes. Within the lists, the substitution of candidates to be excluded is applied starting from the candidates with the highest progressive number. The substitution mechanisms do not apply to candi dates drawn from lists that presented less than three candidates.
2.7. In the event that, even if the substitution mechanisms under paragraph 2.6 are applied, the correct composition of the Board of Directors is not ensured, as many candidates as necessary will be excluded from the candidates elected on the basis of indi vidual candidatures pursuant to paragraph 2.5, replacing the less voted candidates with the first unelected candidates who meet the missing requirements. Substitutions take place first for the less represented gender and then those who satisfy the Independ ence Requirements.
2.8. In the event that, even if the substitution mechanisms under paragraphs 2.6 and 2.7 are applied, the correct composition of the Board of Directors is not ensured, as many candidates as necessary will be excluded - starting from the last place of the r anking -, replacing them with candidates meeting the missing requirements, who are elected by the Shareholders’ Meeting on the basis of candidates put to the vote individually: the candidates who obtain the highest number of votes are elected, up to the to tal number of Directors still to be elected. Substitutions take place first for the less represented gender and then those who satisfy the Independence Requirements.
3. If only one list is presented, all Directors are drawn from this list, according to the progressive order of the list; where it is not possible to complete the Board of Directors in this way, the missing Directors are elected at the Shareholders' Meeting, on the basis of candidates put to the vote individually: the candidates who obtain the highest number of votes are elec ted, up to the number of Directors required.
4. If no list is validly presented, the missing Directors are elected by the Shareholders’ Meeting on the basis of candidates who are put to the vote individually: the candidates who receive the highest number of votes will be elected, up to the total numb er of directors still to be elected.
5. If, in the cases as per paragraphs 3 and 4, at the end of voting, an overall number of Directors meeting the requirements necessary to ensure the correct composition of the Board of Directors, with regard to gender balance and Independence Requirements, has not been elected, as many elected candidates as necessary have to be excluded by replacing the less voted candidates meeting the missing requirements with candidates meeting the missing requirements, who are elected by the Shareholders’ Meeting on th e basis of candidates put to the vote individually: the candidates who
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Page 12 of 25 obtain the highest number of votes are elected, up to the total number of Directors still to be elected.
Substitutions take place first for the less represented gender and then those who satisfy the Independence Requirements.
6. All of the candidates proposed directly at the Meeting in accordance with the preceding paragraphs have to submit the documentation laid down in art. 18 paragraph 2 letter f).
7. In the event of a tie between lists or candidates, the Meeting holds a ballot in order to establish a ranking for the candidates on these lists.
8. Significant relationships are those identified by the current provisions of Legislative Decree 58 of 24 February 1998 and of the Regulations implementing Consob Resolution 11971 of 14 May 1999.
Article 20
1. If, during the year, one or more directors are no longer available, they are to be replaced according to the following provisions.
2. A Director who is no longer available is replaced by the first unelected candidate, according to the progressive numbering on the list of origin of the terminated director, who complies with the provisions of paragraph 2.1 and belongs to the less repres ented gender and/or meets the Independence Requirements if the required minimum number of directors has to be made up.
2.1. Within the period fixed by the Board of Directors, the candidate must file at the Company ’s registered offices a declaration in which he renews his acceptance of the office, confirming the absence of grounds for ineligibility or incompatibility and that the requirements prescribed for the office by legislation and by the Articles of Association are met, and provides information on the administration and control positions currently held in other companies. If the candidate concerned fails to do so, the next unelected candidate takes over, according to the progressive numbering of the list, and so on.
2.2. If, for any reason, replacement is not possible according to the mechanism referred to in paragraphs 2 and 2.1, the Board of Directors shall co -opt a new member selected, where possible, according to a principle of proportional representation of the s hareholders ’ structure within the Board and ensuring, in any case, compliance with the applicable laws on gender balance.
2.3. The members taking over or co -opted pursuant to the preceding paragraphs 2, 2.1 and 2.2. shall remain in office until the next Shareholders’ Meeting. When a new Director is appointed to replace the outgoing Director, the Shareholders’ Meeting decides on th e basis of candidatures. Each candidature has to be filed at the Company ’s registered offices by the deadline provided by law for the presentation of lists of candidates for the election of the Board of Directors, together with any documentation and declaration required by law, and in any case: (i ) the declarations from each candidate accepting their candidature and confirming, under their own responsibility, the absence of reasons for which they cannot be elected or other incompatibilities, and that they meet the requirements for appointment estab lished by these Articles of Association and by current regulations and whether they meet the Independence Requirements; (ii) a full description of the personal and professional characteristics of
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Page 13 of 25 each candidate, with an indication of the directorships and audit appointments held in other companies. Candidatures submitted without complying with the above terms and conditions will be considered as not submitted and will not be admitted to the vote.
2.4. If no candidature is presented within the term under paragraph 2.3, the Shareholders’ Meeting shall decide on the substitution on the basis of candidatures presented directly at the Shareholders’ Meeting, each accompanied by the documentation and declaration specified in the paragraph above.
Candidatures submitted without complying with the above procedure will be considered as not submitted and will not be admitted to the vote.
2.5. The Shareholders’ Meeting votes on the replacement by expressing a vote on the individual candidatures: the candidate who receives the highest number of votes gets elected, making sure that the person chosen belongs to the less represented gender and/ or meets the Independence Requirements if the required minimum number of directors has to be made up.
2.6. In the event of a tie between various candidates, the Meeting holds a second ballot to establish how they are to be ranked.
3. The directors taking over - each - assume the residual period of office of the person they replaced.
4. If, due to resignations or other causes, more than half of the directors are no longer available prior to the end of their term of office, the entire Board of Directors has to resign and a Shareholders ’ Meeting called to make the new appointments. The Board will remain in office until the Shareholders ’ Meeting has passed a resolution to reconstitute it. The new Directors so appointed shall hold office for the remaining term of office of their predecessors.
Article 21
1. The Board of Directors elects from among its number the Chairman and 1 (one) or 2 (two) Deputy Chairmen who remain in office until the end of their mandate as directors.
2. The Board of Directors appoints a Secretary who meets the requirements of experience and professionalism, chosen from among its members, the managers of the Company or among third parties .
Article 22
1. Board meetings are called by the Chairman. Meetings are usually called once every month;
exceptionally, a Board meeting can be called every time considered necessary by the Chairman, as well as when and in writing at least one third of the directors, or by the Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors may be convened also by the Board of Statutory Auditors, or, following written communication to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, individually by each Serving Statutory auditor.
2. The Board of Directors meets at the registered offices or elsewhere in Italy.
3. Meetings of the Board of Directors can be held using remote communication systems, on condition that the identity of the persons entitled to attend is assured and all participants are able to intervene
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Page 14 of 25 in real time in discussions about the matters on the agenda, as well as being able to see, receive and transmit documents. At least the Chairman and the Secretary shall be present at the place where the Board of Directors was called, unless the meeting is held using remote communication systems.
4. Meetings are called by registered letter or by e -mail to the addresses communicated by the Board members or by any other method suitable for the purpose at least three days prior to the date set for the meeting. This notice period may be waived in urgen t cases.
5. Notice of the meeting must also be sent to the Serving Statutory Auditors on the same basis and timing.
6. Meetings are chaired by the Chairman. They are quorate if attended by an absolute majority of the Serving members. The General Manager, where appointed, takes part in them.
Article 23
1. Votes are cast by members of the Board of Directors on a public basis.
2. Resolutions are adopted by a majority of the votes cast by those present.
3. In the event of a tie, the chairman of the meeting has a casting vote.
Article 24
1. The business and the resolutions adopted by the Board are documented in minutes that are recorded in a Minute Book and signed by the Chairman and the Secretary.
2. This Minute Book and extracts from it, certified as authentic by the Chairman and the Secretary, provide evidence of the business and the resolutions adopted by the Board.
Article 25
1. The Board exercises the widest powers of ordinary and extraordinary administration of the Company, except for those that must be exercised at the Shareholders ’ Meeting.
2. Pursuant to art. 2365, paragraph 2, of the Italian Civil Code, the Board of Directors is authorised to approve mergers in the situations envisaged by arts. 2505 and 2505 -bis of the Italian Civil Code, as well as any changes needed to align the Articles of Association with regulatory requirements.
3. Without prejudice to the responsibilities that under current legislation cannot be delegated, the following decisions are the sole prerogative of the Board of Directors:
determining general operating guidelines and criteria for the coordination and management of Group Companies, as well as for the implementation of instructions received from the Bank of Italy and other Supervisory Authorities in the interests of the Group ’s stability;
definition of general guidelines, strategies, policies, processes, models, plans and programmes that the provisions of the Bank of Italy and the other Supervisory Authorities assign to the body that has the function of strategic supervision;
the strategic direction, strategic transactions and financial and business plans;
the purchase and disposal of equity investments that represent a controlling and/or significant
interest;
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Page 15 of 25 the approval and amendment of internal regulations governing the functioning of the Board of
Directors;
the approval and amendment of the deed governing the process of adopting and distributing internal regulations and other internal regulatory documents that this deed qualifies as particularly
important;
the appointment and dismissal of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman/ Chairmen;
the appointment from among its number of an Executive Committee and of other Committees referred to in art. 28 , determining the members, their duties and how they will operate;
the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer, granting, modifying and/or revoking the powers granted to him;
the appointment and dismissal of the General Manager and of the Deputy General Manager(s) ;
the appointment and dismissal of the heads of the functions that the provisions of the Bank of Italy and the other Supervisory Authorities assign to the body that has the function of strategic supervision, and the appointment and dismissal of the Manager r esponsible for preparing the Company ’s financial reports.
4. Without prejudice to the obligations laid down in art. 2391 of the Italian Civil Code, the directors, at meetings of the Board of Directors and, in any case, at least every three months, report to the Board of Statutory Auditors on the activities perfor med and on the principal economic, financial and capital transactions carried out by the Company and its subsidiaries.
5. Such reports by the Board of Directors to the Board of Statutory Auditors outside of Board meetings are made in writing by the Chairman of the Company to the Chairman of the Board of Statutory Auditors.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Article 26
1. The Chairman of the Board of Directors performs the functions required by current regulations, facilitating the governance of the Bank and promoting the effective and balanced functioning of the powers allocated to the various corporate bodies, as well as acting as point of reference for the Board of Statutory Auditors, for the managers of internal control functions and for internal committees.
2. The Deputy Chairman, or in the event of appointment of two Deputy Chairmen , the most senior , will replace the Chairman in all his functions, if absent or unavailable. If seniority of appointment is the same, replacement is based on order of age.
3. If the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman /Chairmen are all absent or unavailable, the related functions are performed by the Chief Executive Officer or, if absent or unavailable, by the eldest director.
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND OTHER BOARD COMMITTEES
Article 27
1. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee ranging from a minimum of 3 (three) to a maximum of 5 (five) directors. The Committee is chaired by a member designated by the Board of Directors; the CEO forms part of it by right. The General Manager, where appointed, takes part in meetings of the Executive Committee.
2. The Chairman of the Board of Directors takes part in meetings of the Executive Committee, without any right to vote and without being able to make proposals.
3. The Executive Committee is vested with management of the Company, with attribution to it, through delegation by the Board of Directors, of all powers that are not reserved by law or the Articles of Association to the exclusive collective competence of t he Board, except for those that the latter has delegated to the CEO or to members of General Management.
4. The Executive Committee is called by the Chairman, generally at least once a month. The provisions applicable to the Board of Directors, as contained in article 2 2, paragraphs 2 (meeting place), 3 (methods of conducting meetings), 4 and 5 (calling), 6 (quorum), as well as articles 2 3 (resolutions) and 2 4 (minutes and extracts), also apply to the Executive Committee.
5. The Chairman of the Executive Committee normally provides information on its activities at the next meeting the Board of Directors.
6. The functions of Secretary of the Executive Committee are performed by the Secretary of the Board of Directors.
Article 28
1. The Board of Directors shall set up from among its members Committees specialising in the matters and with the functions provided for by current regulations and by the provisions of the Bank of Italy and other Supervisory Authorities, determining the me mbers, their duties and how they will operate.
2. Within the limits of applicable regulations, the Board of Directors may merge the functions of one or more Committees and assign additional powers to them, as well as set up among its members, even for a limited period of time, any other Committees deem ed useful.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Article 29
1. The Board appoints a CEO from among its members.
2. The CEO supervises the Company ’s management, in accordance with the general strategic guidelines established by the Board of Directors; implements the resolutions of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee; makes sure that the organisational, administrative and accounting structu re and internal control system are appropriate to the size and nature of the Company and suitable to provide a true and fair view of its operating performance; is entitled to propose, as part of the powers
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Page 17 of 25 assigned to the CEO, resolutions to be decided by the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee; exercises the other powers delegated to the CEO by the Board of Directors.
3. In urgent cases, the Chief Executive Officer can decide on any matter normally decided by the Board of Directors, after hearing the opinion of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, except for those that by law or the Articles of Association have to be decided by the Board of Directors on a collegiate basis. The decisions taken under these circumstances have to be reported to the Board of Directors at the next meeting. In the event that the CEO is absent or unavailable, this power may be exercised by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, on the binding proposal of the General Manager, where appointed.
4. The CEO reports to the Board of Directors, normally on a monthly basis, on the company ’s performance and, on a quarterly basis, on how he has exercised the powers attributed to him.
BOARD OF STATUTORY AUDITORS
Article 30
1. The Meeting appoints 5 (five) Statutory Auditors, comprising 3 (three ) Serving members, including the Chairman, and 2 (two) Alternate members.
2. The Statutory Auditors must meet the requirements, also of independence, established by current law to perform their duties, otherwise they cannot be elected or, if they subsequently fail to meet the requirements, they will fall from office.
3. The limits on the accumulation of directorships and audit appointments laid down by current regulations apply to the Statutory Auditors. In any case, the Statutory Auditors may not hold positions in bodies other than control bodies in other companies of the Group or in which the Company holds, directly or indirectly, a strategic investment, as defined by the Supervisory Authority.
4. The Statutory Auditors remain in office for three years and their mandate expires on the date of the Meeting called to approve the financial statements for the last year of their appointment; they are re -
eligible.
5. The Chairman and the Serving members of the Board of Statutory Auditors are entitled to receive the annual remuneration approved at the Shareholders ’ Meeting throughout their entire period in office.
6. The composition of the Board of Statutory Auditors has to ensure gender balance in accordance with current regulations.
Article 31
1. The election of the members of the Board of Statutory Auditors is made on the basis of the lists presented by the shareholders.
2. The list of candidates, which is split into two sections, one for the candidates for the position of Serving Statutory Auditor and one for the candidates for the position of Alternate Statutory Auditor,
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Page 18 of 25 has to have a number of candidates not exceeding the number of Statutory Auditors that to be elected.
In each section, the candidates are listed with a progressive number. At least one candidate for the position of Serving Statutory Auditor and one candidate for the position of Alternate Statutory Auditor contained in the respective sections of the list have to be enrolled in the register of auditors and have practised the profession of auditing for not less than three years ;
3. Lists that, considering both sections, contain a number of candidates equal to or greater than 3 (three) must ensure compliance with gender balance at least to the minimum extent required by law, as set forth in the notice of call.
4. The list must be presented by shareholders who, individually or collectively, hold at least 0.50% of the share capital represented by ordinary shares, or a lower percentage established by current regulations. Ownership of the minimum shareholding is cal culated with regard to the shares registered on the day when the list is filed at the Company. Each shareholder cannot present or contribute to the presentation of more than one list; a similar requirement applies for members belonging to the same group - meaning the parent com pany, its subsidiaries and the companies subject to joint control - or who are parties to a shareholders ’ agreement regarding the shares of the Company. In the event of non-compliance, signature is ignored in relation to all lists.
5. The lists of candidates, signed by the members presenting them, must be filed at the Company ’s registered offices within the terms and methods laid down in current regulations. They must be accompanied by all documents and statements required by law and in any case: (i ) declarations from each candidate accepting their candidature and confirming, under their own responsibility, that there are no reasons for which they cannot be elected or other incompatibilities, and that they meet the requirements for appointment establ ished by law or in these Articles of Association; (ii) a full description of the personal and professional characteristics of each candidate, with an indication of the directorships and audit appointments held in other companies; and (iii) information rela ting to the identity of the presenting members with an indication of the percentage of shares held, to be certified as required by law.
6. If only one list is filed by the deadline or only lists presented by shareholders who are associated with each other, the Company promptly publishes this information with the methods laid down in current regulations; in this case, it is possible to pres ent lists up to the third day subsequent to the deadline mentioned in paragraph 5, and the required number for presentation specified in the paragraph 4 is halved. None of this prejudices any other, different requirements under current regulations concerning the basis and timing for the presentation and publication of lists.
7. The lists submitted without complying with the above terms and conditions will be considered as not submitted and will not be admitted to the vote.
8. Any irregularities on the list that relate to individual candidates only entail the exclusion of the candidate(s) concerned.
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Page 19 of 25 9. Each candidate may only be included on one list or, otherwise, will be ineligible for election.
10. Candidates not meeting the requirements established by law and the Articles of Association cannot be elected or, if elected, their appointment will lapse.
11. All persons entitled to vote cannot vote more than one list of candidates, even if through an intermediary or through trust companies.
Article 32
1. The procedure for the election of the Board of Statutory Auditors is described below.
2. If more than one list is validly presented, the following provisions apply.
2.1. Two Serving Statutory Auditors and one Alternate Statutory Auditor are taken from the list that obtained the highest number of votes, in the order that they are listed in each section.
2.2. The Chairman of the Board of Statutory Auditors and one Alternate Statutory Auditor are taken from the list that obtained the second highest number of votes, providing this list is not related, directly or indirectly, with the members who presented or voted the list with the highest number of votes, in the order that they are listed in each section. Significant relationships are those identified by the applicable provisions of Legislative Decree 58 of 24 February 1998 and the Regulations implementing Consob Resolution 11971 of 14 May 1999.
2.3. In case the second list by numbers of votes is related, according to paragraph 2.2, with the members that have presented or voted the first list by number of votes, the Chairman of the Board of Statutory Auditors and one Alternate Statutory Auditor ar e taken, in the order that they are listed in each section, from the list that obtained the third highest number of votes providing this list is not related, according to paragraph 2.2, with the members who presented or voted the list with the highest numb er of votes.
2.4. In the event of a tie between lists, the Meeting holds a second ballot at the outcome of which two Serving Statutory Auditors and one Alternate Statutory Auditor are taken from the list that obtained the highest number of votes, in the order that they are listed in each section; The Chairman of the Board of Statutory Auditors and one Alternate Statutory Auditor are taken from the list that obtained the second highest number of votes, providing this list is not related, directly or indirectly, with the members who presented or voted the list with the highest number of votes, in the order that they are listed in each section.
2.5 If, after voting has taken place, no one of the appointed Auditors is enrolled in the register of auditors and have practised the profession of auditing for not less than three years, the Meeting has to exclude the elected candidate, that do not have t he requirements, who has the highest number on the list that obtained the highest number of votes, replacing that person with the non -elected candidate of the same list that meets the requirements.
2.6. If, after voting has taken place, the minimum number of Statutory Auditors belonging to the less represented gender has not been elected, the Meeting has to exclude the elected candidate belonging
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Page 20 of 25 to the overrepresented gender, who has the highest number on the list that obtained the highest number of votes, replacing that person with the non -elected candidate belonging to the less represented gender on the same list.
2.7. If, even by applying this replacement mechanism, it is not possible to complete the minimum number of Statutory Auditors belonging to the less represented gender, the Meeting provides for the election of the missing Statutory Auditors on the basis of candidates proposed by members at the Meeting. To this end, the candidates are put to the vote individually and the candidates who receive the highest number of votes are elected, up to the total number of Statutory Auditors to be elected.
Substitutions a re made from the most voted list, and within the sections of the lists, from the candidates with the highest progressive number.
3. If only one list is presented, all Auditors are taken from that list. In this case, the first candidate for the office of Serving Statutory Auditor listed in the relevant section of the list shall be elected Chairman of the Board of Statutory Auditors.
4. If no valid list is presented, or the number of Statutory Auditors to be elected has not been reached, the missing Statutory Auditors are elected on the basis of candidates proposed by the members at the General Meeting. To this end, the candidates are put to the vote individually and the candidates who receive the highest number of votes are elected, up to the total number of Statutory Auditors to be elected.
4.1. In the event of a tie between various candidates, the Meeting holds a second ballot among the candidates.
4.2. If the Shareholders’ Meeting has elected the Statutory Auditors because there are no lists, it shall appoint the Chairman of the Board of Statutory Auditors from among the Serving Statutory Auditors elected pursuant to paragraphs 4 and 4.1 above.
4.3 If the Shareholders’ Meeting has supplemented the number of Statutory Auditors drawn from the lists, by electing the missing Statutory Auditors, it shall appoint the Chairman of the Board of Statutory Auditors, if not elected pursuant to paragraph 2.2 or paragraph 3, from among all the Serving Statutory Auditors elected.
5. The Meeting must take care to express the minimum number of Serving and Alternate Statutory Auditors belonging to the less represented gender also in the cases provided for in paragraphs 3 and 4.
6. Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 3 and 4, application of the above provisions must in all cases result in at least one Serving Statutory Auditor and one Alternate Statutory Auditor being elected by minority shareholders who are not assoc iated, directly or indirectly, with the shareholders that presented or voted for the list that obtained the highest number of votes.
7. The candidates submitted by members at the General Meeting pursuant to paragraphs 2.7 and 4 must be accompanied by the documentation mentioned in art . 31 paragraph 5.
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Article 33
1. If the Chairman of the Board of Statutory Auditors ceases to serve, the Alternate Statutory Auditor taken from the same list as the former Chairman takes office until the number of auditors on the Board has been replenished pursuant to art. 2401 of the Italian Civil Code.
2. If a Serving Statutory Auditor is no longer available, the Alternate Statutory Auditor from the same list takes over. The new Serving Statutory Auditor remains in office until the next Shareholders ’ Meeting, which has to replenish the number of members of the Board of Statutory Auditors.
3. If the Meeting has to appoint replacement Serving and/or Alternate Statutory Auditors to the Board of Statutory Auditors, pursuant to paragraph 2 or legal requirements, the procedure is as follows.
4. If Auditors taken from the list that came first by number of votes must be replaced, the Shareholders ’ Meeting votes without any list restriction, based on candidates who are put to the vote individually: the candidate who receives the most votes gets elected.
4.1. Candidates may be submitted by members who are entitled to submit a list for the election of the Board of Statutory Auditors, in accordance with current regulations. Ownership of the minimum shareholding for participation is calculated with regard to the shares registered on the day when the application is filed with the Company.
4.2. Each member may not present or contribute to presenting more than one candidate for each substitution; a similar requirement applies for members belonging to the same group - meaning the parent company, its subsidiaries and the companies subject to jo int control - or who are parties to a shareholders ’ agreement regarding the shares of the Company. In the event of non -compliance, signature is ignored in relation to all candidatures.
4.3. The candidature, signed by the person or persons presenting the candidate, must indicate the name of the candidate and has to be filed at the Company ’s registered offices by the deadline provided by law for the submission of lists of candidates for the election of the Board of Directors, together with any documentation and declaration required by law, and in any case: (i ) the declarations from each candidate accepting the candidature and confirming, under their own responsibility, the non -existence of reasons for which they cannot be elected or other incompatibilities, and that they meet the requirements for appointment e stablished by law and by these Articles of Association; (ii) a full description of the personal and professional characteristics of each candidate, with an indication of the directorships and audit appointments held in other companies; and (iii) informatio n on the identity of the members presenting the candidate, indicating their overall percentage shareholding, to be confirmed according to the terms and methods established by current regulations.
4.4. Belonging to the less represented gender is a condition of eligibility for candidature if the Board no longer has the related minimum number of Statutory Auditors as a result of the termination.
4.5. Candidatures submitted without complying with the above terms and conditions will be considered as not submitted and will not be admitted to the vote.
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Page 22 of 25 4.6. If no valid candidate is submitted, the Meeting votes on the substitution on the basis of candidates proposed by the members directly at the Meeting, who are put to the vote individually: the candidate who receives the highest number of votes gets ele cted, making sure that the person chosen belongs to the less represented gender if the required minimum number of Statutory Auditors has to be made up. The candidatures have to be accompanied by the documentation indicated in paragraph 4.3.
5. If it is necessary to replace an Auditor taken from the list other than the one that came first by number of votes, and that is not associated, not even indirectly, with the shareholders that presented or voted for the list that came first, the Meeting does so, choosing, where possible, from those unelected candidates indicated in both sections of the same list as the Auditor to be replaced, who confirm their candidature and file declarations at the Company’s registered offices confirming that there are no reasons for which they cannot be elected or other incompatibilities, and that they meet the es tablished requirements for appointment, as well as an up -to-date indication of the directorships and audit appointments held in other companies, within the terms prescribed by current regulations for the presentation of lists for the election of the Board of Statutory Auditors.
5.1. Where it is not possible to proceed in the manner indicated in paragraph 5, the Meeting decides on the substitution on the basis of candidates proposed by the members directly at the Meeting, who are put to the vote individually: the candidate who rec eives the highest number of votes gets elected, making sure that the person chosen belongs to the less represented gender if the required minimum number of Statutory Auditors has to be made up.
5.2. The candidatures have to be accompanied by the documentation indicated in paragraph 4.3.
6. In any case, the Meeting has to guarantee the presence in the Board of Statutory Auditors of at least one member enrolled in the register of auditors and that have practiced the profession of auditing for not less than three years by nominating a substi tute that have those requisites, if necessary. The Meeting has also to guarantee the respect of the gender balance principle by appointing a replacement member of the less represented gender, where this is needed to restore the minimum number of Statutory Auditors belonging to this gender.
Article 34
1. The Statutory Auditors monitor compliance with the law, regulations and the Articles of Association, respect for the principles of correct administration of the Company, the adequacy of the organisational and accounting structures, and the functionality of the overall system of internal control; they verify that the personnel involved in the control system operate effectively and are coordinated properly, reporting any weaknesses or irregularities and requesting suitable corrective action; they monitor t he adequacy of the risk management and control system; they exercise such other functions and powers provided by law as well as the duties and functions that the provisions of the Bank of Italy and the other Supervisory Authorities assign to the body that has the control function. The Board of Statutory Auditors has to inform the Supervisory Authorities, in accordance with current legislation, of all facts
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Page 23 of 25 or deeds that it becomes aware of and which could constitute management irregularities or a violation of the rules that govern banking.
2. In performing the necessary verification work and checks, the Board of Statutory Auditors makes use of the Company ’s internal control personnel and functions. The Board of Statutory Auditors can carry out audits or inspections at any time, also individually; they can also ask the directors for information on the Company and its subsidiaries regarding the results of ope rations or of specific transactions; such information can also be requested directly from the subsidiaries ’ directors and Statutory Auditors.
3. The Board of Statutory Auditors can also exchange information on the administration and control systems and on business trends in general with the corresponding boards at subsidiary companies.
4. Meetings of the Board of Statutory Auditors can be held using remote communication systems, on condition that the identity of the participants is assured and all of them are able to take part in the discussion in real time, as well as being able to see, receive and transmit documents. The meeting is deemed to be held in the place where the Chairman is located.
5. The minutes and deeds of the Board of Statutory Auditors must be signed by all of the members who attended the meeting.
GENERAL MANAGEMENT
Article 35
1. The Board of Directors may appoint a General Manager and one or more Deputy General Managers meeting the requirements foreseen in current regulations for the relevant offices. Such managers, if appointed, are members of General Management.
2. The Board of Directors decides on the responsibilities and the powers granted to each member of General Management, in line with the structure of delegated powers in force at any given time.
3. The members of General Management report to the Board of Directors on how they have exercised their powers , with a frequency established by the Board.
AUDIT OF THE ACCOUNTING RECORDS AND PREPARATION OF
THE COMPANY ’S FINANCIAL REPORTS
Article 36
1. Pursuant to current regulations, the accounting records are audited for legal purposes by a registered auditing firm appointed in accordance with the law.
Article 37
1. Having received the opinion required from the Board of Statutory Auditors, the Board of Directors appoints a Manager responsible for preparing the Company ’s financial reports, granting him appropriate powers and resources to perform the tasks allocated in accordance with the law. Having
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Page 24 of 25 received the opinion required from the Board of Statutory Auditors, the Board of Directors is also entitled to revoke the appointment of the Manager responsible.
2. The Manager responsible for preparing the Company ’s financial reports is appointed from among the Company ’s managers who have held management responsibility for accounting and administrative matters for at least three years.
REPRESENTATION AND SIGNATURE ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY
Article 38
1. The Chairman represents the Company in dealings with third parties and in judgement, for both jurisdiction and administrative purposes, including judgements handed down by the Courts of Cassation and Appeal, and signs on behalf of the Company as sole si gnatory. If absent or unavailable, temporarily or otherwise, the Chairman of the Board of Directors is replaced, separately, by the Deputy Chairmen and the Chief Executive Officer and if these are also absent or unavailable, temporarily or otherwise, by th e eldest director.
2. In dealings with third parties, the signature of the person replacing the Chairman is evidence that the latter was absent or unavailable.
3. The Chief Executive Officer represents and signs on behalf of the Company within the limits of the powers granted to him by the Board of Directors.
4. The General Manager, where appointed, represents and signs on behalf of the Company for all deeds within his sphere of competence and within the additional powers granted to the General Manager by the Board of Directors. In his absence, this is performe d by the Deputy General Managers, jointly or severally . In dealings with third parties, the signature of the person replacing the General Manager is evidence that the latter was absent or unavailable.
5. The Chairman of the Board of Directors and, within the limits of its respective powers of representation, the Chief Executive Officer and the General Manager, where appointed, have the power to appoint Company employees and third parties as special nomi nees for the completion of specific deeds or certain categories of deeds.
6. Signatory powers may also be granted by the Board of Directors, for the completion of specific deeds or certain categories of deeds, to individual directors, the General Manager, Deputy General Managers, Company employees and third parties.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PROFITS AND RESERVES
Article 39
1. The accounting reference date is 31 December each year.
2. Following the end of each financial year, the Board of Directors arranges for the preparation and presentation of financial statements in accordance with the law and these Articles of Association.
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Article 40
1. The net profit reported in the approved financial statements after deducting the part for the legal reserve and the portions approved by the Meeting for the establishment and increase in reserves, including extraordinary reserves, on the proposal of the Board of Directors, may be allocated by the Meeting for a portion of up to 1.5% for the establishment or increase of a special fund available to the Company for charitable, social, cultural and scientific initiatives. The remainder is distributed as a dividend to be attributed to the shares, as decided by the Meeting.
2. When preparing the financial statements, the Board of Directors may allocate profits to new or existing reserves prior to determining the net profit referred to in the paragraph 1, requesting the Shareholders ’ Meeting to ratify such allocations.
3. The Board of Directors may resolve upon the distribution of interim dividends in the circumstances, according to the procedures and within the limits permitted by the applicable laws.
Article 41
1. The dividends that are not collected and fall into prescription are devolved to the Company and allocated to the extraordinary reserve.
Article 42
1. In all cases of winding up of the Company, the Shareholders ’ Meeting appoints the liquidators, establishes their powers, determines how the liquidation will be performed, and the allocation of the surplus reported in the final liquidation balance sheet.
2. The available amounts are allocated to the shareholders in proportion to their respective equity interests.