On 24 April 2008, the Italian Competition Authority started its investigation proceedings against banks Unicredito Italiano S.p.A., Unicredit Banca S.p.A., Unicredit Banca di Roma S.p.A., Banco di Sicilia S.p.A. and Bipop Carire S.p.A.
These investigations followed so-called "mistery shopping" tests carried out by Altroconsumo (Italian consumer association), aimed at verifying whether the investigated banks would impose any costs or would prevent to transfer a bank loan to another bank.
The commercial practice investigated by the Authority also included communications to consumers, including inaccurate information with respect to the possibility to transfer a bank loan to another bank.