Intesa Sanpaolo SpA CEO Carlo Messina said the Italian bank is in the "initial phase" of talks with several potential partners interested in investing in its wealth management unit, Reuters reported June 15.

When asked if the bank could enter exclusive talks with U.S.-based BlackRock Inc., Messina said the bank is "assessing various options with a number of global international players" but has not yet decided on a concrete plan yet, Reuters said.