BNP Paribas Group have started banking and finance experience in 19th century and continue its way while becoming more powerful for two centuries. Group’s forerunners were established in 19th century and prompted by industrial growth at those years.
The forerunner of BNP Paribas Fortis, Société Générale de Belgique, was established in Brussels.
Two forerunners of BNP, Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris (CNEP) and Comptoir National d’Escompte de Mulhouse were established.
Establishment of Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas (Paribas)
Banque Nationale pour le Commerce et l’industrie (BNCI) was established.
Banque Nationnale de Paris (BNP) was created with the merge of CNEP and BNCI by Frence government. In that years, it was one of the most dynamic years of banking. BNP increased international operatations, opened many branches, launch new products (bleue card, etc.) and used modern advertisements.
BNP Paribas started to control Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas (Paribas) which was established in 1872 with acquiring controlling stake in Paribas. Thereby, BNP and Paribas were integrated. It was a new very dynamic action and symbolized by new logo ‘’the taking-flight symbol’’. In 2000, BNP Paribas Group was officially established and become one of the important player in banking and strong European leader bank.
Right after the establishment, BNP Paribas Group enhanced its international presence with the following acquisitions;
Bank of West (established in 1874) in United States
TEB (established in 1927) in Turkey
BNL (established in 1913) in Italy
Fortis (established in 1822) in Belgium and BGL (established in 1919) in Luxembourg
BGZ in Poland and Dab Bank in Germany
For detailed history of BNP Paribas Group, please find here.