The Italian government cut its shareholding in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena by 15% allowing peers Banco BPM and Anima Holding to buy a stake in the world’s oldest bank.

Italy on Wednesday raised 1.1 billion euros ($1.16 billion) by selling 15% of bailed-out bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena , bringing on board rival Banco BPM as a shareholder in the Tuscan lender.

Shares in Monte dei Paschi di Siena jumped 9 per cent in early trading on Thursday after the Italian government sold a 15 per cent stake in the bailed-out lender for €1.1bn, bringing in rival Banco BPM as a shareholder.