The bank blasted what it sees as a weak premium. Its CEO warned a deal would cost BPM 6,000 jobs. And Italian officials expressed concern that a UniCredit tie-up would stall efforts to grow BPM.

Italian lender Banco BPM on Tuesday said the unexpected takeover offer by domestic rival UniCredit does not reflect its profitability and could reduce its legal autonomy. UniCredit offered to snap up Banco BPM for roughly $10.

Italy's Banco BPM, the target of an unsolicited all-share offer announced by UniCredit, should remain an independent bank, its CEO said in a letter to staff on Wednesday, warning of big job cuts if the deal went through.