Annual Report - BNP Paribas

Commercial momentum boosted by the continued renewal
of the offering
Retail Banking continued to enjoy strong momentum in payment methods:
the continued success of the innovative Terceo offering, which allows
clients to pay for card purchases in three instalments or within three months.
More than 500,000 clients have taken advantage of Terceo in the
18 months since it was launched;
with 660,000 Visa Premier and Infi nite cards distributed among its Retail
Banking clients, BNP Paribas has confi rmed its leadership at the top
end of the payment card market;
the introduction of the Carte Cadeau payment card in November 2007
(see inset).
Following the decision by the government to transform Codevi savings schemes
into Sustainable Development savings schemes, BNP Paribas became one of
the fi rst banks to offer reduced-rate loans, under the name of Energibio,
which allow clients to fi nance energy-saving projects in their primary or
secondary places of residence. Eight months after the launch, 2,000 applications
have been processed, representing a total of more than EUR 20 million.
A new offering to fi nance the exercising of stock options was also introduced
in the spring to provide for the development of this type of remuneration
offered to employees of large companies.
In savings, against a volatile fi nancial market backdrop, BNP Paribas stepped
up its policy of regularly launching new guaranteed return funds: excluding
Private Banking, more than EUR 2.2 billion were collected by the nine
innovative funds offered to clients in 2007 with varying durations, underlying
assets and strategies (see inset).
Impressive commercial success
The Retail Banking business (Private Banking included) once again turned
in very solid performances in investment savings despite a more demanding
environment than in 2006, particularly in the second half of the year. In contrast
to the situation seen by the majority of bancassurers, life insurance infl ows
continue to grow, and are approaching EUR 7.5 billion. The situation is also
positive for mutual funds and unit-linked life insurance contracts, with infl ows
reaching close to EUR 10 billion. These performances refl ect the strength of
the offering, the continued development of planned savings with more
than 430,000 new contracts, an increase of 13% compared to 2006,
and regular, increasingly personalised contact with clients.
As regards loan business, Retail Banking continued to support its clients’ projects:
strong activity in consumer loans, resulting in an 9 basis point gain in market
share in one year;
a 25% rise in the number of student loans granted;
a 9% increase in the mortgage portfolio with business remaining robust
despite less favourable market conditions than in 2006.
BNP Paribas Annual Report 2007 /////// French Retail Banking
Commercial momentum
boosted by innovation
The Carte Cadeau prepaid
and universal payment card
has proven very popular
with clients since its launch:
4 eye-catching designs
with a mirror effect,
and deluxe packaging
as an option;
more than 9,000 cards
were offered as gifts
in two months.
Guaranteed return
funds highlighted
by the fi nancial press
and popular among clients:
Conquistador,
Conquistador 5
and Conquistador 8,
which track equity market
growth in the eurozone,
have attracted
infl ows of more than
EUR 475 million;
Mambo, which targets
a 12% return in two years
or a strong share
of the average growth
registered by a basket
of 20 stocks over fi ve
years, has generated
infl ows of EUR 590 million.
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