21.7.2009 Official Journal of the European Union L 1893 (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory) DECISIONS COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 21 October 2008 on a State aid scheme implemented by Italy to remunerate Poste Italiane for distributing postal savings certificates (C 49/06 (ex NN 65/06)) (notified under document number C(2008) 5585) (Only the Italian text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2009/554/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 88(2) thereof, Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(1)(a) thereof, Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to the provisions cited above (') and having regard to their comments, Whereas: ) I. PROCEDURE By letter dated 30 December 2005, Associazione Bancaria Italiana (ABI) complained to the Commission against various measures which it alleged benefited the banking activities of Poste Italiane SpA (PI), which are operated through a fully integrated division of PI called Bancoposta. According to the complainant, PI was being overcom- pensated for the distribution of postal savings financial (") O] C 31, 13.2.2007, p. 11. products on behalf of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti SpA (Deposits and Loans Fund — CDP). A second advantage was said to consist in the exclusive distribution of these products, which steered customers away from similar financial products distributed by commercial banks. By letter dated 7 February 2006, the Commission put a number of question to the Italian authorities relating in particular to postal savings. After requesting an extension of the deadline for a reply, Italy replied to the questions by letter dated 21 April 2006. The Commission put further questions by letter of 29 June 2006; Italy replied on 31 July 2006 and on 9 August 2006. A meeting took place with the Italian authorities and representatives of PI on 30 March 2006. On 20 April 2006 the Commission wrote to ABI seeking clarification of a number of points; ABI replied by letter dated 8 June 2006. By letter dated 22 November 2006, the Commission informed Italy that it had decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the measure.