JC Flowers acquired Monte Paschi Banque, the French lending specialist previously the French arm of Monte dei Paschi di Siena. The bank operates branches in Paris, Marseille, Nice, Lyon and other southern cities, giving the buyer immediate coverage in a fragmented market. The deal adds a platform for JC Flowers to revive a lender weakened by its Italian parent’s troubles.

The owners will deepen ties with financial advisers and roll out mortgages, Lombard loans, other asset‑backed credit and deposits. Leveraging a client base of real‑estate owners and entrepreneurs, the bank will add a working‑capital offering for French mid‑market firms. Michele Antognoli, former BFF Spain chief, becomes CEO; Garo Filibosoglu is deputy CEO and chief commercial officer; former NatWest chairman Howard Davies is chairman.

JC Flowers, which has deployed more than $18 bn across 73 companies in 19 countries and manages roughly $5 bn in assets, adds another complex bank turnaround to its European résumé. The firm’s track record with First Bank in Romania, HCOB in Germany and Fidea in Belgium positions it to reshape French mid‑market lending, pressuring rivals to consolidate or specialize.