Angoulême and our ancestor banks
Angoulême experiences significant economic growth in the second half of the 19th century, as companies and banks establish themselves to support local development. The Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris (CNEP) sets up a branch there as early as 1895, followed by the Banque Nationale de Crédit (BNC) which opens its branch in the town hall square in 1920.
The early days: CNEP establishes a presence in Angoulême in 1895…
CNEP Agency of Angoulême in 1906, BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 11Fi455
Since 1889, the CNEP has been in full rebirth. Its objective is to be represented in every business sector: commerce, industry, finance. Therefore it opens agencies in the French most dynamic cities but also
abroad.
Angoulême, and its surrounding towns, has the diversity of activities that CNEP knows how to support: tire company, spirits merchants, paper mill, electric motor manufacturers, fabric merchants, distilleries. So many jobs to finance.
That’s why an agency of the CNEP is created in Angoulême in 1895. The entrance is narrow, but here the counter is framed by two shops, including the “Au bonheur des Dames” boutique on its left. The facade with its columns and statues as well as the wrought iron gate remind us of the architectural style that pleases CNEP.
The “place de l’Hôtel de Ville”: a prime location in the city centre, home to BNC and later BNCI
The BNC settles in the town hall square in 1920. The photo on the left (BNP Paribas Historical Archives, 3Fi132) shows the activity in the heart of Angoulême just after World War I. And the photo of 1993 (Historical Archives BNP Paribas, 4Fi144), shows that BNP has managed to preserve the original facade.
The BNC is taken over by the Banque nationale du commerce et de l’industrie on April 18, 1932. The building on the Place de l’hôtel de ville is the headquarters of the BNC in Charente, it becomes an agency of the BNCI attached to the Bordeaux branch. It was in April 1937 that it became a branch to which the Cognac agency was attached.
The Charente agencies must adapt to the events during the Second World War. During the last four months of 1939, the agencies of Limoges and Périgueux were created, both attached to the branch of Angoulême. Some “customer service centers” and “periodic offices” are closed , reopened, then closed again, and finally reopened over the next five years. In 1940, the agencies of Saintes and La Rochelle are attached to it.
1966: The Angoulême branch takes on the name of BNP
The intertwined history of Angoulême and our ancestor banks does not stop there! It is indeed in 1966 that the Banque Nationale de Paris was born from the mergers of the BNCI and the CNEP. The agency on the place de l’hôtel de ville thus naturally changes its sign. Angoulême undergoes a first “branch and agency renovation program” (as read in the BNP’s annual report of the same year) in 1979.
In the autumn of 1997, BNP carries out work in the agency. The goal is to renew the reception of its 5000 clients and to modernize the services provided by the first agency in the territory at the time.
Its banking business has indeed established itself in the heart of the city center with the BNC, but the building has had several commercial lives. Thanks to an article from Charente Libre in December 1997 (provided by the Nouvelle Aquitaine region in 2024), we know that the building has been at the heart of trade since the end of the 19th century.
The first is a grocer who, in 1876, occupies the building constructed on the site of an old church. Then, from ribbon merchants to an electricity company, it is the bank’s turn to set up in 1920.
Plan of the BNP agency after work in 1997, donation from the Territoire Nouvelle Aquitaine, 2024, BNP Paribas Historical Archives
BNCI: the little stories in history
Angoulême and the oldest of our bank ancestors: the Banque Adam
The BNCI absorbs the Banque Adam on April 13, 1937. In order to retain customers and not disrupt their habits, the BNCI also takes over the assets of the bank, including the branch in Angoulême. For a few months, there were then 2 branches of the BNCI in Angoulême!
The BNCI celebrates Angoulême in its corporate journals
In April 1956, the BNCI honored the Angoulême group in its corporate journal n° 105 (BNP Paribas Historical Archives, PER4_105). It tells “the History of Angoumois, land of ancient civilizations” and it highlights its terroir.
On June 22, 1963, the final round of the Inter-C.A.S. pétanque challenge took place on the Beaulieu square. This final is organized by Mr. Brouhard, Director of the Angoulême Group at the time and Mr. Pennart, Vice President of the Executive Committee of the C.A.S. of the time. Nîmes wins the cup and an honorary aperitif is organized in the branch hall.
The C.A.S. has changed name since but still exists under the acronym A.S.C. BNP Paribas.
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