Nexi SpA's parent company Mercury UK Holdco Ltd. said it had contacts with SIA SpA for a potential merger of the two Italian payment companies but discussions have not gone beyond a preliminary stage, Reuters reported Dec. 13.

Cassa depositi e prestiti SpA, which owns almost 50% of SIA via CDP Equity, is reportedly in favor of merging SIA with Nexi and is preparing to make progress toward that, the newswire said, citing Italian newspaper Messaggero.

Mercury expressed full confidence in Nexi's management in its statement to Reuters.

Mercury has a 60.15% stake in Nexi, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data.