UPDATE 1-UniCredit in exclusive talks with Prelios-Fortress over bad bank sale - sources
October 24, 2014 at 13:54 PM EDT
MILAN, Oct 24 (Reuters) - UniCredit has entered final phase talks to sell its debt recovery unit and a chunk of bad debt, two sources close to the matter told Reuters on Friday, a move aimed at strengthening its balance sheet and freeing up funds for new lending.