# Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena

> Italian bank

**Wikidata**: [Q46730](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q46730)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banca_Monte_dei_Paschi_di_Siena)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/banca-monte-dei-paschi-di-siena

## Summary
Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS) is the oldest surviving bank in the world, founded in 1472 in Siena, Italy. It operates as a major Italian financial institution with headquarters in the historic Palazzo Salimbeni and maintains a significant presence in both domestic and international banking markets.

## Key Facts
- Founded on March 4, 1472, making it the oldest bank still in operation
- Headquartered in Palazzo Salimbeni, Siena, Italy
- Employs approximately 25,781 people
- Operates under the aliases BMPS, MPS, and Monte dei Paschi di Siena
- Maintains official websites at https://www.gruppomps.it/ and https://www.mps.it/
- Listed on the Italian Stock Exchange with 33 sitelinks
- Classified as a public company, financial institution, and business entity
- Has historical connections to the Republic of Siena (1125-1555)
- Owns or operates multiple historic palazzos in Siena including Palazzo Salimbeni, Palazzo Spannocchi, and Palazzo Tantucci
- Previously owned Antonveneta, a former Italian bank founded in 1996
- Has international presence through Cassa Commerciale Australia, an Australian bank headquartered in Sydney

## FAQs
What is the historical significance of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena?
BMPS holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving bank in the world, having been founded in 1472 during the Renaissance period in Siena, Italy. Its continuous operation for over 550 years makes it a unique institution in banking history.

Where is Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena headquartered?
The bank is headquartered in Palazzo Salimbeni, a historic building located in Siena, Italy. This location has served as the bank's headquarters for centuries and represents the institution's deep roots in the city.

What subsidiaries or related entities does BMPS have?
BMPS has had ownership connections to several entities including Antonveneta, a former Italian bank founded in 1996, and Cassa Commerciale Australia, an Australian bank headquartered in Sydney. The bank also owns multiple historic palazzos in Siena.

How large is Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena?
The bank employs approximately 25,781 people and maintains a significant presence in the Italian financial sector. It is listed on the Italian Stock Exchange and operates under multiple brand names including BMPS and MPS.

## Why It Matters
Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena represents a living connection to the origins of modern banking, having operated continuously since 1472. As the oldest surviving bank, it provides invaluable insights into the evolution of financial institutions, banking practices, and economic systems over more than five centuries. The bank's survival through various historical periods - from the Renaissance through world wars and economic crises - demonstrates remarkable institutional resilience and adaptability. Its presence in Siena has contributed significantly to the city's economic development and cultural heritage, with the bank's historic headquarters in Palazzo Salimbeni serving as both a financial center and architectural landmark. The institution's long history also makes it an important case study for understanding how traditional banking institutions can maintain relevance while adapting to changing economic landscapes and technological advancements.

## Notable For
- Being the oldest surviving bank in the world, founded in 1472
- Maintaining continuous operation for over 550 years through multiple historical periods
- Historic headquarters in Palazzo Salimbeni, a significant architectural landmark in Siena
- Extensive employment of approximately 25,781 people
- Ownership of multiple historic palazzos in Siena including Palazzo Spannocchi and Palazzo Tantucci
- International presence through subsidiaries like Cassa Commerciale Australia
- Deep historical connections to the Republic of Siena (1125-1555)
- Classification as both a public company and financial institution
- Multiple brand identities including BMPS, MPS, and Monte dei Paschi di Siena
- Significant presence on the Italian Stock Exchange

## Body
### Historical Foundation and Origins
Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena was founded on March 4, 1472, during the height of the Italian Renaissance in Siena, Italy. The bank emerged from the mount of piety tradition, which were institutional pawnbrokers run as charities that provided financial services to the community. This founding date establishes BMPS as the oldest surviving bank in the world, having maintained continuous operations for over 550 years. The institution's creation coincided with Siena's period as an independent republic (1125-1555), during which the city was a major center of banking and commerce in medieval Europe.

### Geographic and Architectural Significance
The bank's headquarters is located in Palazzo Salimbeni in Siena, Italy, a historic building that has served as the institution's home for centuries. Beyond Palazzo Salimbeni, BMPS owns and operates several other historic palazzos in Siena, including Palazzo Spannocchi and Palazzo Tantucci, demonstrating the bank's deep architectural and cultural integration with the city. The institution also has connections to Palazzo Orlandini del Beccuto in Florence, Italy. This extensive real estate portfolio of historic buildings underscores the bank's role not just as a financial institution but as a custodian of Italian architectural heritage.

### Corporate Structure and Classification
BMPS operates as a public company, offering its securities for sale to the general public on the Italian Stock Exchange. The institution is classified across multiple categories: as a bank (financial institution that accepts deposits), as a public company, as a business (organization undertaking commercial activity), and as a financial institution (providing financial services to clients). This multi-faceted classification reflects the bank's comprehensive role in the financial services sector and its significance within the broader financial sector of Italy.

### Ownership and Subsidiaries
The bank has had ownership relationships with several entities throughout its history. Most notably, it previously owned Antonveneta, a former Italian bank founded in 1996 with headquarters in Padua, Italy. BMPS also has international connections through Cassa Commerciale Australia, an Australian bank headquartered in Sydney. These ownership relationships demonstrate the bank's expansion beyond its Siena origins into both domestic Italian markets and international territories.

### Historical Context and Evolution
The bank's founding in 1472 places it within the context of the Republic of Siena, an independent republic that existed from 1125 to 1555. This historical connection provides BMPS with a unique institutional memory that spans the transition from medieval city-states to modern nation-states. The bank has witnessed and adapted to the unification of Italy (completed in 1861), the establishment of the Italian Republic in 1946, and numerous economic transformations throughout its history. This longevity has required the institution to continuously evolve its operations, services, and business model while maintaining its core identity and historical significance.

### Financial Sector Position
As a major Italian financial institution, BMPS operates within the broader context of the Italian financial sector and the global financial services industry. The bank's classification as a financial institution places it alongside other major players in providing economic services to clients. Its presence on the Italian Stock Exchange and its significant employee base of approximately 25,781 people indicate its substantial role in the Italian economy. The bank's operations encompass traditional banking services while also maintaining historical connections to the mount of piety tradition of charitable financial services.

### Cultural and Economic Impact
The bank's presence in Siena has had profound cultural and economic impacts on the city. Beyond its role as a financial institution, BMPS serves as a cultural landmark through its ownership of historic buildings and its continuous operation since the Renaissance period. The bank's employment of thousands of people and its position as a major financial player contribute significantly to the local and national economy. Its historical significance attracts interest from scholars, tourists, and financial historians, making it both an economic engine and a cultural treasure for Siena and Italy as a whole.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.unepfi.org/net-zero-banking/members/)
2. [Source](http://www.prolocogrosseto.it/ann0-1965.html)
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Library of Congress Name Authority File
6. RAMEAU
7. Google Knowledge Graph
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Czech National Authority Database
10. [Source](https://www.mps.it/media-and-news/comunicati/ComunicatiStampaAllegati/2017/CS_GMPS_1H17%20Results_ITA%20-%20final.pdf)
11. National Library of Catalonia
12. Quora
13. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
14. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Banca_Monte_dei_Paschi_di_Siena-8JAKPZ)
15. Name Suggestion Index
16. YouTube API