BNP Paribas, a European leader at the service of its customers

BNP Paribas relies on a customer-focused business model and very strong market positions, particularly in Europe, that it has successfully maintained despite the financial crisis that began in 2007.

In a bid to adapt to a changing environment, the Group is working hard to redesign its range of products and services to meet the new requirements of organisations and institutions, to reduce the risks and to rationalise its structure. It is pursuing a strategy that focuses on developing integrated solutions and stimulating productivity gains.

BNP Paribas' aim is to be always listed amongst the best establishments in the world, both in terms of innovation and product quality and in terms of the customer-focused service it offers in the business lines in which it operates.

In Austria

BNP Paribas is a leading provider of derivatives, structured finance and bonds for banks and corporates in Austria.

Austrian banks, insurance companies and securities services providers are the main customers of equity, interest and credit derivatives that are fequently the basis for structured retail and private banking products. Since 2002 also Austrian corporates and regional authorities have been substantially intensifying derivatives business with us.

Between 2004 and 2006 BNP Paribas achieved a major breakthrough in the Austrian syndicated loan market – we were mandated MLA and/or bookrunner for nearly all major transactions in the market.

Between the year 2000 and the first half of 2006 BNP Paribas has raised more than EUR 20 bn for Austrian banks, corporates and other institutions in the international debt capital markets. Extraordinary were the year 2005 and especially the first half of 2006 with more than EUR 4.2 bn of debt raised.

Outstanding product innovations were the issuance of Tier 1 capital for nearly all major Austrian banks in 2004 and 2005 and Austria's first ever CMBS-transaction for Immofinanz Group with BNP Paribas as sole bookrunner.

The investment bank activities are covered by the representative office of BNP Paribas in Vienna in close co-operation with over 120 experts from all business lines in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Geneva, Zurich and New York.

Beside the investment bank activities there are also independent units operating in the following areas:

• BNP Paribas Asset Management
• BNP Paribas Lease Group handles leasing of movable assets and sales finance.
• Arval is the # 1 in Europe in the field of fleet management and leasing.
• Cardif is a specialised insurance company working together with financial institutions in the area of consumer credits, offering insurance against unemployment and disability to work.