The Dutch bank is the single biggest shareholder in Antonveneta with nearly 13 percent and ABN Amro's ambitious chief executive Rijkman Groenink has long said he would like to expand his interests in Italy, which he calls a core market. ABN Amro has controlled Antonveneta via a shareholders' ownership agreement, combining 30 percent of the Italian bank's capital. This expires on April 15 and ABN Amro is examining all avenues as it seeks to protect its investment.