ROME, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Andrea Pignataro's ION Group is on course to secure Italy's backing for its planned takeover of real estate and credit manager Prelios, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The government is leaning towards not using its so-called golden powers, which allow it to shield assets in strategic sectors, to block or set conditions for the deal, the sources said, asking not to be named.
Prelios and the office of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni both declined to comment, while ION did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
ION is a provider of digital services and analytics to the banking sector, ranging from trading and clearing software to core banking IT infrastructure.
The acquisition of Prelios from U.S. hedge fund Davidson Kempner Capital Management (DK) is the latest investment in the country by Italian businessman Pignataro, who built his fortune abroad.
Separate sources have previously said the deal valued the credit manager at 1.35 billion euros ($1.48 billion), 630 million euros of which ION raised in debt from banks.
The acquisition comes against a backdrop of rising interest rates, in a challenge for a group known for its aggressive use of debt financing in its growth strategy.
($1 = 0.9147 euros) (Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte in Rome and Valentina Za in Milan; Editing by Giulia Segreti and Jan Harvey)
