BNP Paribas SA

ABOUT THIS COMPANY:

For a changing world

BNP Paribas, which bills itself as “the bank for a changing world,” is one of the largest and most successful banks in Europe. BNP Paribas’s international business is comprised of three key divisions: retail banking, corporate and investment banking, and investment solutions. The banking group’s retail banking operations include retail banking both in France and internationally, branch banking, personal finance, and equipment financing. The corporate and investment banking business encompasses various divisions, including equities and commodity derivatives, fixed income, corporate finance, structured finance, and cash management. And the investment solutions unit is comprised of wealth management, asset management, insurance, securities services, and real estate. In addition to enviably strong European operations, the banking powerhouse has a solid and growing international presence, spanning more than 80 countries, with strong operations in both the United States and Asia. Although BNP Paribas can trace its roots back to the early 1800s, the modern day version of the bank began to take form in 1966 when Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris and Banque Nationale pour le Commerce et l’Industrie united to form Banque National de Paris (BNP). The Paribas Group was formed in 1988 after many years of French nationalization and reorganization. In 1999, BNP took control of the Paribas Group, creating one of the largest financial institutions in Europe.  (In case you’re curious, Paribas comes from the phrase “Paris et Pays-Bas,” which means “Paris and The Netherlands.”). BNP Paribas also has a strong presence in Belgium and Italy. BNL banca commerciale, founded in 1913 and based in Rome, was acquired by BNP Paribas in 2006. Fortis, originally part of the prestigious Société Groupe de Belgique, founded in 1822, joined the group in 2009 and became BNP Paribas Fortis. Today, the banking group’s total employee network worldwide boasts approximately 200,000 employees, most of which work in Europe. It is led by its CEO, Jean-Laurent Bonnafe.