Falling into the arms of a foreigner was tough for Italian bank Antonveneta, and the thought of having to go though it all over again after little more than a year has ruffled employees and clients.
Headquartered in the ancient and wealthy north-eastern town of Padua, Banca Antonveneta was the target of a fierce take-over battle that saw Dutch bank ABN Amro prevail over an Italian rival at the start of 2006.