New stories about BNP Paribas during the war years

The war and BNP Paribas funds

First, (re)discover the history of our predecessor banks which were immersed in the twists and turns of war and understand how the war affected the organisation, work and activities of the banks. The work also highlights the men and women who distinguished themselves. At the same time, learn how the bank reacted, resisted, organised and reorganised.

We have selected 5 main subject areas, in connection with the themes that will mark the official commemorations: women, the Resistance, reconstruction, the Holocaust and deportation.

In future publications, we will discuss, among other topics:

• the remarkable careers of people who distinguished themselves during the war;
• the destruction of buildings and branches during bombing;
• the Aryanisation of Jewish assets and dispossession, carried out with the help of banks, focusing on the Commission for the Compensation of Victims of Dispossession (CIVS) and the Paul Rosenberg case;
• the nationalisation of BNP Paribas’ forerunner banks and the resulting reorganisation of their activities;
• the impact of the social progress implemented in 1945-46 by the Provisional Government of the French Republic (GPRF) in the banking world, highlighting benefit schemes for bank employees during and after the war.

BNP Paribas during the war years: new content!

In this new series, discover portraits of distinguished employees during the war years:

• Portraits of Resistance: Georges DEMANGE, A decorated French Navy man at the bank (New!)

• Jacques Allier, from banking to secret services (Podcast)

Also find out how BNCI (National Bank for Trade and Industry) adapted to the situation:

• BNP Paribas in wartime: minutes of the BNCI Board meeting of 19 September 1939(New!)

• BNP Paribas at the heart of the Second World War: BNCI on several fronts (New!)

• The evacuation of securities from Dinan in June 1940

Our section on Second World War:

• BNP Paribas at the heart of the Second World War

Learn more about:

• The commemorations (in French)

• The period of the Second World War