Teetering Italian bank looks for investors

A newspaper headline reads in Italian "Renzi goes home" following the result of Sunday's constitutional referendum, at a newsstand in Milan, Italy, Monday, Dec. 5, 2016. Italian voters dealt Premier Renzi a resounding rebuke early Monday by rejecting his proposed constitutional reforms, plunging Europe's fourth-largest economy into political and economic uncertainty. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) (The Associated Press)

MILAN – Shares in Italy's most troubled bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, are down again amid rising concerns about its ability to remain solvent.

Shares were down 3 percent Tuesday though the bank said it had achieved one part of a turnaround program. Bondholders agreed to swap some 1.02 billion euros (1.09 billion dollars) in subordinated shares.

The future of Italy's third largest-lender is in doubt amid political turmoil, with Premier Matteo Renzi poised to resign after a stunning rebuke by voters to his constitutional reforms.

The timing of Italy's political crisis couldn't be worse for Monte dei Paschi, which is hoping to raise money through a stock offering as part of its restructuring.

The share swap announced Tuesday is part of that turnaround plan.