In the fifteenth century Luca Pacioli, adopting the practices long in use among Venetian merchants, developed the theory of “double entry” bookkeeping Goethe called “one of the most wonderful discoveries of the human mind”. Fabio Besta arranged these studies on a scientific basis, perfecting the tools available to make correct entries. These are the solid foundations on which we now work.
European legislation explicitly provides for this type of intervention and also establishes a wide range of safeguards to avoid using resources that are compulsorily earmarked for covered deposits (up to the European ceiling of € which would breach State aid rules.