Committed to our customers for 2 centuries

Although BNP Paribas’ roots span 200 years of history, the Group’s current structure took shape in 2000, following the stock market battle that saw BNP, France’s number one bank, merge with international investment bank Paribas. Discover two centuries of banking focused on serving the global economy, interspersed with developments, crises, rebirths, innovations and productive mergers.

Once upon a time, there was BNP Paribas, a Group with deep and multiple roots…

The name BNP Paribas is rooted in almost two centuries of banking history and bears the mark of the banks whose tradition the Group carries on today. A graphic explanation.

When was the BNP Paribas Group born? In 1822, 1848, 1966 or 2000? This question merits some background information… BNP Paribas Group, one of the youngest European banks, was created on 23 May 2000 from the merger of international investment bank Paribas and leading French deposit bank BNP. BNP, from which the Group was formed, was created in 1966 from the merger of Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris (CNEP) and Banque Nationale pour le Commerce et l’Industrie (BNCI), two banks whose origins lie in the 1848 Revolution. Finally, the Group’s oldest company is BNP Paribas Fortis, its Belgian subsidiary, which dates back to 1822.

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Discover in images the Group’s achievements during these almost 2 centuries : financing the economy, developing regions, commitment and passion, innovation, internationalisation
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The history of BNP Paribas, rich in diverse traditions, highlights both its raison d’être of funding the economy and its early forays on the international stage. BNP’s forerunner, Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris, has deployed a network abroad to support its clients’ commercial activities since the 19th century.

Looking at the history of BNP Paribas Group, we can identify a number of characteristics and values that have been forged, transmitted and acquired, sometimes in challenging circumstances, over time and as the Group has expanded:

• a long international and multicultural tradition;
• a consistent policy of working closely with industry and businesses in a bid to meet their needs, and maintaining strong local services for individual clients;
• extensive expertise and rigorous risk analysis;
• a culture of innovation, creativity and commercial vitality;
• an ability to integrate different cultures and histories.

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Learn more about the history of the BNP Paribas Group through this quiz

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1. Since when has BNP Paribas been a partner of Roland-Garros ?

Roland-Garros tennis court

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2. BNP Paribas’ oldest ancestor was born in ?

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3. The Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris (CNEP), one of BNP Paribas’ ancestor banks, was created by …

Archives historiques BNP Paribas

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4. BNP Paribas is also heir to the Bank of Paris and the Netherlands, which was active from 1872 to 1999. What were its main activities ?

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5. Where were the first branches of the Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris (CNEP) opened?

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6. In what year was BNP created ?

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7. In 2006, BNP Paribas purchased an Italian bank, BNL. In which city was it founded ?

Affiche de la BNL où est inscrit "Depuis 60 ans au service du cinéma italien" - Archives historiques BNP Paribas

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8. In 2014, BNP Paribas purchased the Polish bank BGŻ. Which sector does it primarily finance ?

Billet Polonais Mark

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9. When was the Cetelem subsidiary set up, dedicated to consumer credit?

Frahbnpp 3af272 Scaled

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10. When did the banks recruit women ?

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11. What is the name of the training organisation dedicated to banking’s businesses in France?

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12. In what year was the first computer installed at BNP Paribas?

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A selection of images to discover the BNP Paribas adventure

The story continues, discover it…