RepoRt on - BNP Paribas

NRE indicator – 2009 year Scope for 2009
25. Relations with the community, including associations to combat social exclusion,
educational institutions, environmental and consumer associations, and local residents
See the CSR Report under A partner in society.
Over the years, BNP Paribas SA’s local banking network in France has been involved in more
than 1,400 formal or informal voluntary partnerships with various organisations. Through, relationships
with more than 1,000 further education institutes, the Group offers internships, apprenticeships
and work experience for young people. It has developed around 400 partnerships which are designed
to promote the sporting, cultural and artistic initiatives of young people, as well as local projects
to help integrate them into the labour force, combat social exclusion and preserve the environment.
Projet Banlieues: Through Projet Banlieues, launched in december 2005 and reconducted in 2008
for three more years, the BNP Paribas Foundation offers its support to AdIE (a non-profit association
providing microcredit to the unemployed) to foster business development in disadvantaged
neighbourhoods through several initiatives:
• job creation and business formation: in four years, the project has financed the opening of eight
lending centres throughout France. In 2009, 754 micro-loans were granted by these branches,
financing almost 520 business start-ups;
• tutoring and coaching: In partnership with AFEV, close to 1,400 school children living in disadvantaged
neighbourhoods received educational assistance thanks to the efforts of 1,000 additional student
volunteers;
• support for community projects: The Foundation provided help to 104 ongoing and new community
projects. Projects focus mainly on education, professional inclusion, social inclusion through culture
and sport, and training initiatives.
Consumer associations: The Quality & Consumer Relations department of the French Retail Banking
division has forged partnerships with around ten consumer advocacy groups.
Mediation of banking disputes: BNP Paribas is one of the few financial institutions to have committed
since 2003 to follow the recommendations and opinions of the Mediator in any and all cases. As from
March 2009, in response to the needs of its small business customers, BNP Paribas decided to introduce
a specific mediation procedure for small business owners and appointed a Mediator for Entrepreneurs.
Links with educational institutions:
• The Group’s very active ‘campus management’ policy, with over fifty events organised at educational
institutions in 2009, maintained a substantial flow of applicants for pre-recruitment (internships, VIE,
work-study) from nearly 63,000 candidates;
• Under partnership agreements or as part of specific projects, groups of BNP Paribas branch offices
maintain very close relationships with the associations and educational institutions in their catchment
areas. These partnerships generally extend beyond purely commercial relationships, offering financial,
technical or even organisational support for projects undertaken by partners;
• BNP Paribas awarded EUR 950,000 in grants to schools located in underprivileged urban areas
as payment of the apprenticeship tax in France. These funds were used for the purchase,
hire and upkeep of teaching and professional equipments and facilities. France
26. Contribution to regional development and employment
In response to the economic and financial crisis, the Group launched a large-scale project in September
2009 which is designed to increase lending for investment purposes. The project will run for fifteen months.
Its objective is to increase financing for investment by SMEs, tradespeople and shop owners. The Bank is
committed to distributing at least EUR 1 billion in new investment loans each quarter until the end of 2010.
A total of EUR 5 billion will be made available over the 15-month period. Through the timeframe
of the project, BNP Paribas will provide support for around 40,000 investment projects.
In France, the Group seeks to promote economic development in the areas where it operates by providing
business customers with financing to drive the growth of their businesses. BNP Paribas plays a major role in
financing entrepreneurs and start-ups, which are the mainstay of the French economy. The latest barometer
of corporate customer satisfaction measures perceived progress in the quality of follow-up and assistance
provided by the business centres. Regional access to centres of expertise (Trade Centres; dealing Rooms)
is also very well received. France
Outside France, BNP Paribas also contributes to the financing and development of communities
through its local banking network. In Belgium, BNP Paribas launched a project to provide EUR 1 billion
in investment loans to Belgian business owners in 2009.
The Group takes steps to ensure that local employees are promoted to positions of responsibility.
The number of expatriate positions is intentionally restricted. Group
138 <strong>RepoRt</strong> on CoRpoRate SoCial and enviRonmental ReSponSibility