PUBLIC POLICIES The Group participates in the development of public policies through its active and constructive participation in the initiatives of trade associations (Italian Banking Association, National Association of “Popular Banks”, Italian Private Banking Association, Associazione fra le Società italiane per Azioni – association of joint stock companies – Italian Association of Financial Analysts, etc.) and other associations active in specific areas (Italian Compliance Association, Italian Anti Money-Laundering Association, etc.), which express the position of the sector on issues of interest, both through making requests to the authorities (e.g. the Bank of Italy) and political decisionmakers (e.g. Parliamentary Commissions) and by taking own initiatives.