Feb 6 (Reuters) - Italian bank BPER launched a

4.3 billion euro ($4.46 billion) bid on Thursday to acquire

Banca Popolare di Sondrio in an all-stock deal, the

latest consolidation in the country's banking sector.

BPER said it would issue 29 new shares for every 20 shares

of Banca Popolare di Sondrio, implying a premium of 2.77%,

according to Reuters calculations.

The combined company's net profit is expected to be more

than 2 billion euros in 2027, BPER said.

($1 = 0.9634 euros)