Bancassurance
Offer of insurance products through the operating network of the bank.

Banca d'Italia
Italian central bank founded in 1893.

Banking Ombudsman
Board founded in 1993 and promoted by the Italian Bankers' Association to settle controversies between banks and customers for values not exceeding 10,000 euro and for which no solution was found at the bank's complaint offices.

Basel Committee
Committee of the International Regulations Bank and the G10 Nations, responsible for guaranteeing the international stability of the banking system, the safety of depositors, banks, shareholders and the whole economy, and for setting univocal rules for all banks.

Basel 2
The new Basel Capital Accord lays down new guidelines for determining the minimum solvency requirements for banks. The main change in these guidelines is a new system for weighting the risks run by banks in their loans to retail and corporate customers. The objective of Basel 2 is to improve the soundness of the financial system.

Basis point
Measure used to define the variations in return, prices, market prices, etc. One basis point or bp equals one hundredth of a percent (0.01%).

Bear market
Any market in which prices exhibit a declining trend. The opposite of bull market.

Benchmark
Objective parameter of financial investment which can also be represented by the most well known indexes (MIB30, Dow Jones, etc.) or by other indexes considered representative of the investment's risk/performance profile.

Blue-chip
Colloquial name for any of the ordinary shares in the most highly regarded companies traded on a stock market. Blue-chip companies have a well-known name, a good growth record, and large assets. Blue-chip companies are reputed to be reliable investments.

Bond
A certificate of debt issued by governments and companies as a means of raising capital which entitles the holder to a fixed-rate of interest and is repayable, with or without security, on a specified maturity date.

Borsa Italiana
The Italian stock exchange.

Broker
An individual or firm which acts as an intermediary between a buyer and seller, usually charging a commission.

Bull market
Any market in which prices are in an upward trend. The opposite of bear market.

Buy
A recommendation by an analyst or advisor that a given security should be bought. Opposite of sell.