Fitch lowers rating following Italy's downgrade. The individual rating has been affirmed at "B/C"

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena informs that, following downgrade of Italy’s sovereign debt rating announced on 7 October 2011, International ratings agency Fitch has lowered its lonf term debt rating on Banca Monte dei Paschi from ‘A-‘ to ‘BBB ’ with a negative outlook. The Bank’s short-term debt rating (‘F2’) and the individual rating (‘B/C’) have been affirmed.