Confindustria chief calls for 'home-grown big banks'

(ANSA) - Vicenza, September 28 - Italy needs large banks but they should be rooted in the country and its population, Confindustria industrialists' association president Giorgio Squinzi said Monday.
    "In general we need big banks that, however, are linked to the territory," Squinzi said.
    "Regional banks were fundamental in Italy's growth process in the post-war period, from popular banks to savings banks".
    Squinzi said he is moderately optimistic about the pace of the economy's recovery after the latest consumer data.
    "There is certainly a bit more confidence determined by the positive numbers that have come out after 13 months of negative GDP," he said.
    "After two positive quarters I think there will be others and obviously this creates confidence".