BNP Paribas is one of the oldest banks in the continent of Europe, and the largest bank in the Eurozone (consortium of countries having adopted Euro as their primary currency), as reported by The Banker magazine. The bank is present in 87 countries with a 162,700-strong workforce offering its services to the bank.

On the 23rd of May 2000, two financial entities viz. the Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP) and Paribas merged together, leading to the formation of the BNP Paribas bank. BNP Paribas is known as one of the oldest banks of France, along with Crédit Lyonnais (LCL) and Société Générale. BNP Paribas had declared a potential loss of around €350 million due to the Madoff fraud, on the 14th of December 2008.

Presence in India
BNP Paribas has been one of the initial banks to have arrived at the Indian land, and had started its operations in the country as early as year 1860, at Calutta (now Kolkata). The bank was then known as the Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris (CNEP).

The bank is assumed as one of the top corporate banks operating in India, and has now spread its operations to 8 different locations in the country. These locations include Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Hyderabad.
 

Products and Services
BNP Paribas carries out a wide range of baking operations in India, which might be categorized into three divisions viz. Corporate & Institutional Banking, Private Banking and Retail Banking.

Corporate and Institutional Banking services include Asset Management, Cash Management, Corporate Banking and Finance, Equity Brokerage and Trade Finance etc., helping the Indian corporate institutions leverage the expert and competent services offered by BNP Paribas.

Private Banking comprises of valuable and noteworthy wealth advisory services that the bank offers to its Indian customers, enabling them make the most out of their investments. Whereas under the Retail Banking services provided by BNP Paribas, the bank provides a range of investment and finance options, such as Mutual Funds, Retail Brokerage, Home Finance and Leasing services.