Rome prosecutors are to question the chief executive of Banca Popolare Italiana over allegations of false accounting, abuse of office, and the release of false documents relating to the bank's proposed takeover of rival Banca Antonveneta. It is the second investigation in which he has been named.

Gianpiero Fiorani will be questioned by magistrates Achille Toro, the deputy Rome magistrate, and Perla Lori, an associate prosecutor. Fiorani's lawyer will accompany him to the inquiry.