2007 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT

THE BNP PARIBAS GROUPHistory 1< Contents >1.3 History11966: Creation of BNPThe merger of BNCI and CNEP to form BNP represented the largestrestructuring operation in the French banking sector since the end ofthe Second World War.1968: Creation of Compagnie Financière de Pariset des Pays-Bas1982: Nationalisation of BNP and CompagnieFinancière de Paris et des Pays-Bas at thetime of the nationalisation of all French banksIn the 1980s, deregulation of the banking sector and the growingtendency of borrowers to raise funds directly on the financial markettransformed the banking business in France and worldwide.1987: Privatisation of Compagnie Financièrede ParibasWith 3.8 million individual shareholders, Compagnie Financière deParibas had more shareholders than any other company in the world.Compagnie Financière de Paribas owned 48% of the capital of CompagnieBancaire.1993: Privatisation of BNPBNP’s return to the private sector represented a new beginning. Duringthe 1990s, new banking products and services were launched andfinancial market activities were developed. At the same time, the Bankexpanded its presence in France and internationally, and prepared toreap the full benefits of the introduction of the euro. Privatisation alsosignificantly boosted the Bank’s profitability – in 1998, it led the Frenchbanking industry in terms of return on equity.1998: Creation of ParibasOn 12 May 1998, the merger between Compagnie Financière de Paribas,Banque Paribas and Compagnie Bancaire was approved.1999: A benchmark year for the GroupFollowing an unprecedented double tender offer and a stock marketbattle waged over six months, BNP was in a position to carry out a mergerof equals with Paribas. For both groups, this was the most importantevent since their privatisation. At a time of economic globalisation, themerger created a leading player in the European banking sector, poisedto compete on a global scale.2000: Creation of BNP PARIBASMerger of BNP and Paribas on 23 May 2000.Building on strong banking and financial services businesses, the newGroup’s objectives are to create value for shareholders, clients andemployees by building the bank of the future and becoming a benchmarkplayer in the global world.2006: Acquisition of BNL in ItalyBNP Paribas acquired BNL, Italy’s 6th-largest bank. This acquisitiontransformed BNP Paribas, providing it access to a second domestic marketin Europe. In both Italy and France, all of the Group’s businesses can nowdraw on a national banking network to develop their activities.2345678910112007 Registration document - BNP PARIBAS 5