Claim: Neos Finance started as Finemiro Banca from a predecessor company in 1997; it became part of Cardine Banca group in 2000, part of Sanpaolo IMI in 2002, and by the end of 2004, Sanpaolo IMI held a majority of its shares.
Evidence: Neos Finance started as Finemiro SpA (Fin-Emi-Ro). In 1997 the parent company, Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna of Bank Group Casse Emiliano Romagnole, transformed the company into Finemiro Banca. The bank became part of Cardine Banca Group in 2000 and again part of Sanpaolo IMI in 2002. At the year of 2004, Sanpaolo IMI held 96.84% shares, Cassa di Risparmio della Repubblica di San Marino held 2.65% and Unibanca held 0.51%.