Alpha Bank has completed the acquisition of Axia Ventures, marking a strategic expansion in its portfolio. Meanwhile, Crédit Agricole has received approval from the European Central Bank (ECB) to increase its stake in Banco BPM to nearly 20%. This move allows Crédit Agricole to surpass the 10% ownership threshold, which comes as UniCredit has launched a €14 billion takeover bid for Banco BPM. The situation is dynamic, with UniCredit evaluating alternatives to a sales agreement with Crédit Agricole’s funds unit, amid indications that Crédit Agricole may not support UniCredit's takeover efforts for Banco BPM.