"The regulator has given a positive evaluation of the bank, and so it does not need to be put under special administration," Vittorio Grilli told the parliamentary finance committee.

Grilli said he had not received any specific warnings about the stability of any banks, and did not see any alarm signals concerning the wider Italian banking system.

However, he said that several bank shareholder foundations including that of Monte Paschi had not diversified risk adequately.

(Reporting by Naomi O'Leary)