Torrential rains in the central Italian region killed at least nine people, while four were missing as of Friday afternoon.

Intesa Sanpaolo said it had earmarked 200 million euros ($200 million) to provide immediate financial support to households and businesses damaged by the floods, offering also a 12-month moratorium on principal loan repayments.

UniCredit said it would suspend for a year capital reimbursements on loans to customers based in the flood-stricken areas, while Credit Agricole Italia promised loans on more favourable terms and fast-track procedures for their approval.

In the worst-hit areas, around 400 millimetres (16 inches) of rain fell within two to three hours, a third of the normal rainfall in the course of a year, turning streets into rivers of mud that engulfed homes and shops. ($1 = 0.9974 euros)

(Reporting by Alvise Armellini; editing by Valentina Za)