Banca ITB

Banca ITB, founded in 2008 by Rosario Bifulco, Francesco Marrara, and Dario Rapisarda, was an online bank in Italy designed to serve the country's network of tobacconists. The bank offered traditional banking services like current accounts and loans, as well as payment and collection services for the public, including utility bills, phone top-ups, and prepaid cards, all accessible through the tobacconist locations. The business model was primarily fee-based, relying on a high volume of transactions through its network of approximately 20,000 tobacconists.

In late 2016, Intesa Sanpaolo, which already held a 10% stake, acquired the remaining shares of Banca ITB for €153 million. Following the acquisition, Banca ITB was rebranded as Banca 5 S.p.A. The new entity aimed to become a "proximity bank," leveraging the extensive tobacconist network to reach customers who were underserved by traditional banking.

The company's evolution continued, and in 2020, Banca 5 and SisalPay merged to create Mooney S.p.A., establishing a prominent Italian proximity banking and payments provider. By 2022, Intesa Sanpaolo (through Banca 5) and Enel (through Enel X) finalized a joint acquisition of Mooney, with each holding a 50% stake. This strategic partnership was intended to accelerate Mooney's growth in digital payments, mobility, and energy services, integrating Enel X's financial services business into Mooney. The company now operates under the name Isybank and functions as the digital bank of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group.

Keywords: proximity banking, payment services, financial services, online banking, tobacconist network, digital payments, bill payments, prepaid cards, Intesa Sanpaolo, Banca 5, Mooney, Isybank, fintech, payment collection, point of sale payments, mobile top-up, money transfer