Italy

General Electric Co is seeking acquisition opportunities in Italy among SME companies with 'superior' technology and a strong growth potential.

Banca Italease, hit last year by derivative losses, would ideally want a foreign strategic partner with a Triple-A bond rating.

Banco Popolare hopes to find a partner for its leasing and factoring affiliate Banca Italease or for a portion of its activities by the end of September.

Banca Italease SpA said new leasing contracts in Q4 rose to 1.4bn, from 0.9bn in the Q3.

Banca Italease SpA has filed a complaint with Milan's public prosecutor regarding the possible manipulation of its share price.

Banco Popolare, the Italian financial services group is thought to be considering the continuation of its asset sales strategy.

Fitch Ratings said it has affirmed Banca Italease's 'BBB' long-term issuer default rating (IDR) with a stable outlook.

SACE SpA is to open up its capital to investors.

 Banca Italease saw its share price fall by 4.73% in Milan on Friday.

Banca Italease SpA said Consob found irregularities in the leasing and factoring company's 2006 accounts, so the group may have to re-state last year's balance sheet.