La banque d'un monde qui change 2004 - BNP Paribas

Chairman‘sand Chief ExecutiveOfficer‘s StatementBNP Paribas turned in a stellar performancein 2004, boosted by ongoing vigorousdevelopment and improved competitivepositions on the majority of its markets.The Group’s relentless drive to evolveand fortify its operations has fuelled majoradvances in each of our core businesses overthe last few years. This success is rooted in thestrong expansion of our International RetailBanking and Financial Services business, whichhas pursued a buoyant pace of external growthagainst a backdrop of sustained organicexpansion; the deployment of an aggressivepolicy seeking to increase our foothold onthe French Retail Banking market, which hasgiven BNP Paribas one of the fastest growingclient portfolios in France; the developmentof the Corporate and Investment Bankingbusiness, which has emerged as a Europeanor global leader in each of its businesses;and the resilience and recovery of the AssetManagement and Services business amid thecrisis confronting the financial markets.Michel PébereauChairmanBaudouin ProtChief Executive OfficerFor many years now, BNP Paribas hasdemonstrated its versatility and ability tostay one step ahead of fast-moving changesin technology, client expectations and itsbusiness environment, and it has constantlystrived to achieve the right balance betweenthe interests of its shareholders, its clientsand its employees. The Group’s results in 2004bear testimony to this momentum.