As one of Italy’s insurance leaders, Ras does not spring to mind when the subject is investment banking.
But it has a thumb deep in the banking pie, owning almost 5% of UCI, 2% of Mediobanca and its own boutique, Rasfin, set up in 1991.
Its real thrust into investment banking came with the arrival in 1998 of Roberto Notarbartolo, who brought 21 years of experience at Mediobanca where he headed corporate finance.
Rasfin has since made a name for itself. The bank offers retail and institutional placing power through an extensive network of financial promoters in the Ras group and consolidated relationships with the main institutions.
It may be a niche operator, but Rasfin has close connections with big names: a retail share offering for soccer club Juventus and bond issues for state electricity corporation Enel and Pirelli, the tyres-to-telecoms group.
Rasfin prides itself on being able to offer more than large competitors.
“We can do deals that other investment banks cannot do,” says Mr Notarbartolo.