Today the Board of Directors of the Bank of Italy approved a plan for reorganization of the branch network over the next three years. The tasks and duties of the larger branches will be increased, three detached supervisory divisions will be centralized, and nineteen branches whose operations are now minimal will be closed.
At the end of 2018 the network will thus consist of 39 branches, rather than the current 58. The new organization will nevertheless guarantee the balanced presence of the central bank in the various parts of Italy. Even where the Bank is no longer present physically, the continuity of its functions and the quality and promptness of services to institutions and citizens will be maintained. In selecting the branches to be closed, account has been taken of the demand for their services, the characteristics of the local territory, the presence within the same region of other branches open to the public, and distance from the nearest branch.
The reorganization will not require the dismissal of employees. The Bank has informed the trade unions of its readiness to devise measures towards accommodating the needs of the people who work in the structures that are to be closed or merged.
