As a player and historical witness to the transformations of society and the economy throughout the world over the past two centuries, BNP Paribas attaches particular importance to the knowledge and dissemination of history.
The archives and history of BNP Paribas: a valuable intangible asset
While BNP Paribas is by nature forward-looking, thanks to its banking activity serving its clients’ projects, the bank’s historical archives and historical thinking help to shed light on current and future economic issues. The history of BNP Paribas demonstrates, with concrete examples, how the bank carries out its business, how it overcomes crises, and how the bank of today follows in the footsteps of yesterday, with all the necessary innovation.
This is why BNP Paribas has a team of professionals dedicated to preserving and promoting its documentary heritage and history. This is also the purpose of our Well of History website: to share all aspects of BNP Paribas history with as many people as possible.
The Archives & History Department: a team dedicated to the Group’s historical heritage
The Archives and History team is part of the BNP Paribas Communications Department and is responsible for collecting, organising, distributing and promoting the written and audiovisual heritage of BNP Paribas. It informs the general public about its history through various channels (publications, social networks, exhibitions, website) by highlighting the continuity of the actions of BNP Paribas and its historical entities in financing the economy.
By sharing a common history with the employees of the BNP Paribas Group in more than 63 countries, we are also consolidating the foundations and values of a common culture.
The activity of the Archives and History department is divided into 5 missions:
- Collecting, arranging and preserving the Group’s historical archives and heritage at our conservation centre in Dinan (France);
- Promote the history of BNP Paribas and the brand;
- To celebrate the highlights of the Group’s history and to contribute to the development of the history of BNP Paribas’ businesses;
- Supporting research and mediation in economic and banking history by promoting access to archives;
- Representing BNP Paribas in European scientific bodies.
In addition to our team in Paris, two other professional departments are dedicated to historical heritage in the Group’s subsidiaries.
- The Art & History team at BNP Paribas Fortis in Brussels
- The Archivio Storico at BNL BNP Paribas in Rome
Finally, the Association for the History of BNP Paribas, which has been bringing together active and retired Group employees and academics interested in our history since 1994.
Finally, the Association for the History of BNP Paribas, which has been bringing together active and retired Group employees and academics interested in our history since 1994.