An evolutionary overview of the ownership, governance and strategy of Mediobanca: from the kingmaker of Italian capitalism to a large financial conglomerate

The chapter presents the history of Mediobanca from its birth to today. This history is particularly interesting for several reasons. First, Mediobanca has for a long time been the dominant player of the national investment banking industry thanks to its links with the three largest Italian commercial banks. Furthermore, Mediobanca has played a key role in the development of the national economic system by both favouring the stability of control and supporting the growth of large national private industrial groups. Finally, the history of Mediobanca is strictly intertwined with the personality and the vision of Enrico Cuccia, one of the most influential and admired bankers of its time.