Banca MPS: proposal for addition to the shareholders' meeting agenda examined

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN.

All shareholders presented with considerations aimed at facilitating the choice of the best timeframe for capital increase execution

The Board of Directors of Banca Monte dei Paschi met today and examined the alternative proposal for resolution regarding item 1) on the agenda of the Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting scheduled for 27, 28 and 30 December (on first, second and third call respectively) submitted by the Monte Paschi Foundation and prepared pursuant to art. 126-bis of Legislative Decree no. 58 of 24 February 1998 (the Consolidated Law on Finance, “TUF”), to postpone the rights issue execution period starting from 12 May 2014.

The Board of Directors has thus deemed it appropriate to present all Bank's shareholders with its considerations with a view to facilitating the choice regarding the best timeframe within which to carry out the capital increase.

Said considerations are contained in the Report published in full on the corporate website www.mps.it and made available to the public under the terms of regulations in force.

Also available to the public, under the same terms, are the Foundation's proposal, jointly with the related Report, and the Foundation's press release issued on 11 December 2013.

This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute or form part of any offer to sell or solicitation to purchase financial instruments in the United States, Australia, Canada or Japan or any other jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would require the approval of local authorities or otherwise be unlawful (the "Other Countries"). This press release, or any part of it, or the fact of its distribution shall not form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or investment decision. The financial instruments have not been and will not be registered in the United States pursuant to the United States Securities Act of 1933 as amended (the “Securities Act”), or pursuant to the laws in force in the Other Countries. The financial instruments may not be offered or sold in the United States, unless they are registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act is available.