In Depth: interview with New York hub GM, Nicola Baiocchi Di Silvestri

Read the Interview with Nicola Baiocchi Di Silvestri, General Manager of Intesa Sanpaolo’s New York hub, part of IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division.

Based in the world financial capital, Intesa Sanpaolo’s New York hub serves some of the biggest names in the Americas, from blue-chip clients on the Fortune 500 list to major Latin American corporations.

“We operate in both North and South America,” says Nicola Baiocchi Di Silvestri, the hub’s General Manager, “where we deal mainly with large corporations, banks and other financial institutions such as insurance companies, private equity firms and infrastructure funds.”

In addition to serving the Americas clients, a dedicated team assists US subsidiaries of non-US companies based in Italy or in one of the countries where the bank has significant presence. The team also encourages investment to and from Italy, and supports joint ventures between local businesses and Italian companies.

Intesa Sanpaolo also has a strong presence in Europe, where the Group can provide local support to facilitate market access for American clients. “We are the bank of choice for American counterparties who want to invest in Italy and other areas of Europe where we have branches or subsidiary banks – and in Eastern Europe,” explains Baiocchi Di Silvestri.

The New York hub’s offering includes traditional corporate banking products and services such as:

• revolving credit facilities
• loans
• structured finance solutions (project finance, acquisition finance and real estate)
• trade finance
• transaction banking
• treasury services such as deposits and CPs.

The colleagues at Intesa Sanpaolo IMI Securities Corp., the NY broker dealer, also offer debt and equity capital market products, as well as corporate risk hedging solutions.

“We help our clients with corporate or lending and commercial banking services,” says Baiocchi Di Silvestri. “And we also offer export finance and supply chain finance, providing short-term credit that optimises working capital for both the buyer and the seller.”

While the products are standardised, the staff of finance professionals offer tailor-made solutions to help clients meet their needs within debt capital markets, equity capital markets and financial risks hedging.

“Our capability to deliver customised solutions is one of the keys to developing and maintaining long-lasting relationships with clients.

“We support their businesses while creating opportunities across our banking and capital markets products.”

Key areas of growth

Supported by head office industry expertise, the hub is targeting the following sectors in the Americas: telecoms, media, technology, healthcare, automotive and infrastructure.

In infrastructure there is an urgent need for the US to upgrade its airports, ports, dams and roads. Recently the New York hub reached an important milestone, being awarded the role of co-ordinating lead arranger and hedging provider (with six other banks) for the new Terminal One at JFK airport, providing up to $6.6bn in finance, supporting the sponsors Ferrovial, Carlyle, JLC and Ullico.

The energy sector is also set to benefit from mergers and new investments driven by its transition to greener energy and ESG-friendly targets, to which Intesa Sanpaolo is strongly committed.

“We have strong expertise in green financing, not just in bonds and loans linked to ESG KPIs, but also derivatives,” says Baiocchi Di Silvestri. “We are looking to expand our commitment to industries that are investing into energy alternatives, such as solar and wind. It’s the future for the bank and for the world.”

With its focus on ESG financing, a broad portfolio of products and services, and links to the Group’s internatio to build on this success.

“Our objective is to grow our commercial banking activities and to exploit opportunities using our investment banking capabilities and our global footprint,” says Baiocchi Di Silvestri.