UniCredit, Italy's second-largest bank, is intensifying its efforts to acquire Banco BPM. The bank has hired Deloitte as an advisor for the takeover bid and plans to hold discussions with Credit Agricole, including a meeting involving UniCredit's CEO, as part of the process. UniCredit's CEO is reportedly focusing on Italy, following challenges in expanding operations in Germany. Meanwhile, the Italian government is exploring ways to counter the takeover bid, according to reports from the Financial Times.