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Who we are

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BNP Paribas: A history of putting our clients first

The BNP Paribas Group is born of successive mergers between several banks that were created during the industrial revolution early in the 19th century. From the start, these banks’ missions were to finance the economy and serve their customers worldwide. This long-standing purpose over two centuries is now deeply embedded in the Group’s fabric.

BNP Paribas was officially established on 23 May 2000 at the merger between BNP, France’s leading deposit bank, and Paribas, an international investment bank. But its features and values have been forged, transmitted and acquired over 200 years of history marked by developments, transformations and challenges – in a word, BNP Paribas represents two centuries of a bank at the service of the global economy.

The integrated model of the BNP Paribas Group enables us to offer our customers the financial stability of the largest bank in the eurozone with international reach and a full range of products and investments.

By developing privileged long-term relationships with our customers, we aspire to contribute to sustainable and responsible growth.

BNP Paribas, the leading bank in the European Union

BNP Paribas is the leading bank in the European Union and a leading international banking player. Present in 63 countries and locations, with 183,000 employees, the Group has key positions in several banking and financial services activities, structured around three main operating divisions:  

  • Commercial, Personal Banking & Services (CPBS), which brings together the Group’s retail banking networks and several specialized businesses;  
  • Investment & Protection Services (IPS) for savings, investment and protection solutions;  
  • Corporate & Institutional Banking (CIB), which serves two client franchises: Corporate clients and institutional investors.  

The operating divisions of BNP Paribas are organized to increase cooperation between the business lines: A global and joint approach enhances the expertise offered to our clients in order to advise them throughout a long-term relationship. 

A diversified and integrated business model  

Backed by a solid diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporate and institutional clients) to realize their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance.   

To this end, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong international presence especially in the Americas, as well as a solid and fast growing business in Asia Pacific.   

BNP Paribas is also implementing a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group’s performance and stability.

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Company purpose: being at the service of our clients and the world we live in

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