BNP Paribas is recognized as the largest bank based in France and holds a prominent position in the global banking industry. With deep historical roots in European banking, BNP Paribas has grown to be a leading financial institution in both Europe and the Eurozone, and it is a significant player on the international stage. The bank employs approximately 189,000 people worldwide, with the majority—146,610—situated in Europe.
BNP Paribas has established a vast international presence, with 19,845 employees in the Americas, 12,180 in Asia, 9,860 in Africa, and 580 in the Middle East as of 2015. The bank operates in 75 countries and territories around the world. In 2015, BNP Paribas reported revenues of 42.9 billion euros and a net profit of 6.7 billion euros.
The bank’s organizational structure is divided into two primary business divisions: Retail Banking and Services (RBS) and Corporate Institutional Banking (CIB). The RBS division encompasses the bank’s retail banking activities and specialized financial products and services, both within France and internationally. This division is further subdivided into Domestic Markets and International Financial Services.
The Domestic Markets subdivision comprises four retail banking networks within the Eurozone, Domestic Markets include four retail banking networks in the Eurozone—FRB French Retail Banking (France), BNP Paribas Fortis (Belgium), BNL (Italy), and BGL BNP Paribas (Luxembourg)—as well as three specific business lines: Arval (long-term corporate leasing), Leasing Solutions (financing and rental services), and Personal Investors (online brokerage and savings services). The Domestic Markets subdivision serves over 15 million individual customers in 27 countries and nearly 1 million clients including professionals, small businesses, and corporations, with the support of 68,000 employees.
International Financial Services (IFS) manages BNP Paribas’s diversified business activities in over 60 countries. The Personal Finance segment provides credit in 30 countries through brands like Findomestic, Cofinoga, and Cetelem. IFS also includes International Retail Banking, which operates in 15 non-Eurozone countries such as Turkey (TEB) and the United States (Bank of the West).
Additionally, BNP Paribas Cardif offers savings and insurance services in 36 countries. IFS also encompasses Wealth Management, Investment Partners (asset management), and BNP Paribas Real Estate (international real estate services). Together, these businesses employ over 80,000 staff across more than 60 countries.
The International Financial Services (IFS) division manages the bank’s diverse business activities across more than 60 countries. Personal Finance, a part of this division, provides credit services to individuals in 30 countries through well-known brands such as Findomestic, Cofinoga, and Cetelem. The IFS division also operates International Retail Banking, which covers retail banking operations in 15 non-Eurozone countries, including TEB in Turkey and Bank of the West in the United States.
BNP Paribas Cardif, another component of IFS, offers savings and insurance products for assets, projects, and individuals across 36 countries. The division is rounded out by three specialized asset management and private banking operations: Wealth Management for private banking services, Investment Partners for asset management, and BNP Paribas Real Estate for international real estate services. Collectively, the International Financial Services businesses employ over 80,000 staff members across more than 60 countries.
The Corporate & Institutional Banking (CIB) division prides itself on being a leading global provider of financial products and services to institutional and corporate clients. This division serves 13,000 clients across 57 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Asia Pacific, supported by a workforce of nearly 30,000.
CIB offers specialized services in treasury, financing, securities services, capital markets, and financial advisory. The division has established itself as a world leader in various disciplines, with extensive expertise in areas such as derivatives, risk management, and structured financing. CIB acts as a bridge between its corporate and institutional clients, assisting corporate entities in securing financing while providing investment opportunities to institutional investors.
