ROME, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Italy's Poste Italiane PST.MI is in talks with a group of banks to raise up to 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion) in financing to support a possible acquisition of UniCredit's CRDI.MI asset management arm, a source close to the matter said on Tuesday.
Italy's post office last month submitted a preliminary offer for UniCredit's Pioneer Investments together with state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) and asset manager Anima Holding ANIM.MI . UniCredit is selling assets to shore up its capital.
The Poste-led consortium is competing against French asset manager Amundi AMUN.PA , Australia's Macquarie MQG.AX and British group Aberdeen Asset Management, sources have said. Amundi is said to be leading the race with a higher-than-expected 4 billion euro offer. = 0.8928 euros)