Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP SpA) is an Italian bank founded 1850 in Torino and constituted in its current form as joint-stock company on December 12, 2003.
70% of the share capital is owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Italy, while the remaining 30% is held by various foundations, especially banking.
The activities of the company are divided into two distinct branches of business.
The first, called "separate management", manages the financing of investment and other public bodies, such regions, other local and structures relating to the State, using postal savings deposits as the main source of funds.
The second, called "ordinary", deals with the financing of infrastructure.
Unlike postal savings, bonds issued by the Cassa are not guaranteed by the state.
The activity of the company is subject to oversight by a Parliamentary committee.