05
06
The new Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris (CNEP) head office through the lens of Durandelle
Taken in the mid 19th century, the photograph documented the urban transformation of Paris and […]
Are you interested in economic history ?
Each month, take a look at a new article on different and detailed themes.
15
04
When the Bank showed its modern nature at the 1900 World’s Fair
This international event held in Paris was an opportunity for the Comptoir National d’Escompte de […]
15
01
BNP Paribas Fortis and Great Britain during the two world wars
Here are two documents which offer an insight into how BNP Paribas Fortis, operating from […]
15
01
The BNP Paribas Group in London and its staff
Today, the United Kingdom is a nerve centre of BNP Paribas Group business activity: about […]
15
01
1918: banks mobilise for the Liberation bond and continue with the Reconstruction…
During World War I, banks were called upon to assist the French government in funding […]
15
11
The British & French Bank (1947-1967) : a bridge between two nations
An English subsidiary of the Banque nationale pour le commerce et l’industrie (BNCI), founded in […]
15
11
BNP Paribas in London: at the heart of the world’s economic and financial capital since the 19th century
Since the industrial revolution of the early nineteenth century, London’s reputation has grown steadily to […]
08
11
A necessity note of 1871 from Comptoir d’escompte de Paris
The Napoleonic period gave France solid and stable financial institutions from the beginning of the […]
All articles
05
06
The new Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris (CNEP) head office through the lens of Durandelle
Taken in the mid 19th century, the photograph documented the urban transformation of Paris and […]
15
04
When the Bank showed its modern nature at the 1900 World’s Fair
This international event held in Paris was an opportunity for the Comptoir National d’Escompte de […]
15
01
BNP Paribas Fortis and Great Britain during the two world wars
Here are two documents which offer an insight into how BNP Paribas Fortis, operating from […]
15
01
The BNP Paribas Group in London and its staff
Today, the United Kingdom is a nerve centre of BNP Paribas Group business activity: about […]
15
01
1918: banks mobilise for the Liberation bond and continue with the Reconstruction…
During World War I, banks were called upon to assist the French government in funding […]
15
11
The British & French Bank (1947-1967) : a bridge between two nations
An English subsidiary of the Banque nationale pour le commerce et l’industrie (BNCI), founded in […]
15
11
BNP Paribas in London: at the heart of the world’s economic and financial capital since the 19th century
Since the industrial revolution of the early nineteenth century, London’s reputation has grown steadily to […]
08
11
A necessity note of 1871 from Comptoir d’escompte de Paris
The Napoleonic period gave France solid and stable financial institutions from the beginning of the […]
04
09
YouTubers specialising in history: new knowledge brokers
Since 2014, more and more historically-themed channels have been springing up on the YouTube video […]
05
07
The Rostand family: Bankers, musicians, and theatre-lovers
The 2018 Edmond Rostand Festival, created by Thomas Sertillanges, pays homage to this talented French author […]
02
07
1848-2018: 170 years ago, the story of BNP Paribas began in France
On 7 March 1848, the Provisional Government of the French Republic decided to create short-term […]
15
06
The journey to a sustainable environment: almost 70 years of initiatives [Timeline]
Today, sustainable development is a central concern for the main economic players and international bodies. […]
04
06
Once upon a time… BNP Paribas in the American West
Present in the United States since the end of the 19th century, BNP Paribas has […]
27
03
VIDEO – The Comptoir National d’Escompte de Mulhouse : the Alsacian forerunner of BNP Paribas
Nicolas Stoskopf, emerite Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Haute Alsace (France), tell […]
26
03
Changing over to the euro – a challenge for banks
The turn of the century also witnessed the entry into effect of the euro on […]
21
03
Female employees and customers of the bank: parallel histories
Women’s rights have come a long way at the bank for employees and customers alike. […]
01
02
BNP Paribas celebrates 150th anniversary in the UK
1867-2017 : For 150 years, BNP Paribas and its forerunners have been living at the […]
01
02
The origins of our environmental responsibility: the BNP and WWF partnership in 1987
In 1987, BNP and the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) together launched a countrywide […]
30
01
Origins of the Channel Tunnel, 1957-1987
On 29 July 1987, François Mitterrand and Margaret Thatcher signed the treaty between Britain and […]
10
10
Smart cards, a French invention that revolutionised payments (1/2) : before the chip
In 1974, a French engineer developed a ‘portable memory device’ that paved the way to […]
10
10
BNP Paribas in China: more than 160 years ago (1/5)
Long before it established its countrywide network in France, the Comptoir d’Escompte de Paris (CEP) […]
10
10
BNP Paribas in China: the strategic turning point in the 1890s (2/5)
Long before it established its countrywide network in France, the Comptoir d’Escompte de Paris (CEP) […]
10
10
BNP Paribas in China: Paribas and Fortis roles (3/5)
Long before it established its countrywide network in France, the Comptoir d’Escompte de Paris (CEP) […]
10
10
BNP Paribas in China: towards a forced withdrawal (4/5)
Long before it established its countrywide network in France, the Comptoir d’Escompte de Paris (CEP) […]
10
10
BNP Paribas in China: Group’s return and improvement of positions (5/5)
Long before it established its countrywide network in France, the Comptoir d’Escompte de Paris (CEP) […]
03
08
The original communication of the BNP on the Barnes exhibition (1993-1994)
From September 1993 to January 1994, the BNP supported the Barnes exhibition. The collections were […]
26
07
BNP Paribas and the cinema in 9 founding dates (Timeline)
In 1917 began a joint history between BNP Paribas and the cinema that has spread over 100 […]
06
07
The Barnes exhibition : An outstanding corporate philanthropy for BNP (1993-1994)
Matisse’s Le Bonheur de vivre, Seurat’s Les Poseuses and around 72 other masterpieces of the […]
13
06
Paribas in the US : a strategy true to its international tradition 1/2
From the beginning of the 19th century, European bankers Bischoffscheim & Goldschmidt, the ancestor of […]
13
06
Paribas in the US 2/2 : a strategy true to its international tradition
From the beginning of the 19th century, La Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas (Paribas) […]
13
06
Smart cards, a French invention that revolutionised payments (2/2): across the world
In 1974, a French engineer developed a ‘portable memory device’ that paved the way to […]
23
05
A promising industry meets a daring bank (1/3): the BNC and cinema’s debut
Moviemaking, an industry that first appeared in the late 19th century, required substantial investments from […]
22
05
Where does BNP Paribas derive its name?
While BNP Paribas was created in 2000 through the merger of BNP and Paribas, its […]
22
05
A promising industry meets a daring bank (2/3): the BNC and the Gaumont-Franco-Film-Aubert group
Moviemaking, an industry that first appeared in the late 19th century, required substantial investments from […]
22
05
A promising industry meets a daring bank (3/3): the 1930s crisis and the cinematic renaissance
Moviemaking, an industry that first appeared in the late 19th century, required substantial investments from […]
17
05
A brief history of consumer credit 1/3 : the origins
The use of credit in France has gradually grown since the 1920s and is now […]
17
05
Singapore, the gateway to South-East Asia for BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas Group has had a strong presence in Asia Pacific since Comptoir National d’Escompte […]
16
05
A brief history of responsible credit 2/3 : the organisation of consumer credit
The use of credit in France has gradually grown since the 1920s and is now […]
16
05
A brief history of consumer credit 3/3 : the organisation of responsible credit
The use of credit in France has gradually grown since the 1920s and is now […]
06
04
Banking, a family story : the singular careers of the Restoubles in Paribas – Martine Restouble
A bank is a place of work, but also a living area where couples meet […]
03
04
The French American Banking Corporation, a French bank in America
After opening its first office in San Francisco in 1877, the Comptoir national d’escompte de […]
23
03
How The East Was Won (1/3): Early attempts by CEP to establish a presence in Japan
Comptoir d’Escompte de Paris opened a branch in Japan in 1867 to support French economic […]
18
03
How The East Was Won (2/3): Establishment projects aborted by Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas
Comptoir d’Escompte de Paris opened a branch in Japan in 1867 to support French economic […]
16
03
How The East Was Won (3/3): Third time lucky in setting up in Japan
Comptoir d’Escompte de Paris opened a branch in Japan in 1867 to support French economic […]
03
03
San Francisco: the origins of BNP Paribas’ history in the US
The Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris (CNEP), the forerunner of BNP Paribas, took the decision […]
21
02
BNP Paribas Group present in China for more than 160 years
It is often as a pioneer that BNP Paribas Group entered into China: by opening […]
09
02
Banking, a family story: the singular careers of the Restoubles in Paribas – Emile Auguste et Olga Restouble
A bank is an area for finance. It is also a living place for the […]
08
02
Banking, a family story: the singular careers of the Restoubles in Paribas – Emile Restouble
A bank is an area for finance. It is also a living place for the […]
01
02
A century of BNP Paribas banking in Poland (1/3) : Banque Franco-Polonaise
BNP Paribas finalised the acquisition of BGŻ bank on 23 September 2014, but the group’s […]
01
02
Hong Kong, the bridgehead into Asia Pacific region for BNP Paribas (1/3): the CNEP a pioneer
Starting in 1862, Comptoir d’escompte de Paris (CEP), BNP Paribas forerunners, strove to carve out […]
31
01
A century of BNP Paribas banking in Poland (3/3) : a history of “rapprochements”
BNP Paribas finalised the acquisition of BGŻ bank on 23 September 2014, but the group’s […]
31
01
A century of BNP Paribas banking in Poland (2/3) : BGŻ, the Polish farming bank
BNP Paribas finalised the acquisition of BGŻ bank on 23 September 2014, but the group’s […]
23
01
Hong Kong: the bridgehead into Asia Pacific region for BNP Paribas (3/3): the birth of a regional platform
Starting in 1862, Comptoir d’escompte de Paris (CEP), BNP Paribas forerunners, strove to carve out […]
23
01
Hong Kong: the bridgehead into Asia Pacific region for BNP Paribas (2/3): the BNCI, Paribas and Fortis
Starting in 1862, Comptoir d’escompte de Paris (CEP), BNP Paribas forerunners, strove to carve out […]
03
01
Social measures, social connections: a tradition that’s still alive and well at the bank
Ever since their creation, banks have promoted a family spirit among their staff. Attachment to […]
16
12
40 years of BNP Paribas presence in Korea
From the 19th century, Asian trading centres became strategic for European banks. The forerunners of […]
21
11
A brief history of IT in the banking industry
Technology plays a key role in the banking industry, maximising the efficiency of transactions and […]
15
10
The bank architecture of the 60s-70’s, between pop culture and high-tech – SLIDESHOW
Constantly changing, bank architecture reflects the changes in society and conveys the Bank’s image. From […]
07
10
The Camondos: cosmopolitan bankers close to Paribas
Known as the Rothschilds of the Orient, the Camondos are a line of five generations […]
07
09
VIDEO – Discounting: the short-term credit formula that financed the French economy for a long time
BNP Paribas is the heir of the Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris (CNEP). The CNEP’s […]
01
09
Factoring, support for the real economy
The first evidence of factoring is to be found in the fifteenth century in France […]
19
08
The bank also offers “Fantastic holiday camps”…
Holiday camps, which were first created in 19th century Switzerland, quickly developed in France. A […]
05
08
BNP Paribas and the Olympic Games: a long-standing partnership
The Group’s continuously growing partnership with tennis since 1973 is well known; less well known […]
13
06
“Le Centre d’Information Bancaire BNP” in Paris: a showcase for the bank’s innovation in the 1970’s
Le Centre d’Information Bancaire BNP (BNP Banking Information Centre) opened its doors on 11 May […]
25
05
Chemins du Baroque – long-term project
In 1987, Alain Pacquier and Lionel Lissot launched a cultural cooperation programme aimed at restoring […]
18
04
CGER at the heart of education savings in Belgium: Growth, war and the school pact
The movement for education savings in Belgium began in Ghent. The city encouraged the practice […]
31
03
INFOGRAPHIC – The history of BNP Paribas in Africa from 1940 to today
BNP Paribas is an international banking group. Since the 19th century, its forerunner banks chose […]
31
03
The Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris: the bank of booksellers?
In 1848 the July Monarchy was more than running out of steam, it was worn […]
14
03
INFOGRAPHIC – The history of BNP Paribas In Africa from 1860 to 1939
BNP Paribas is an international banking group. Since the 19th century, its forerunner banks chose […]
11
03
BNCI – internationalisation via Africa
The Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris (CNEP) was the first forunner of BNP Paribas Group […]
04
02
The Carte Bleue – a French success story
The launch of the Carte Bleue was one of the banking sector’s greatest innovations in […]
27
01
Office equipment operators – technicians at the heart of banking
After the First World War, the banking sector had to become more efficient in order […]
21
01
Projet Banlieues, ten years of action
BNP Paribas plays an important role in French towns through its large network of agencies. […]
14
01
Minitel – the advent of home banking
The banking sector reflects social and technological changes. In the 1960s, information technology started to […]
04
11
VIDEO – French women’s journey toward financial independence
On 13 July 1965, women in France became bank clients in their own right, when […]
30
10
The back office revolution in the 1930s
Innovation can take various forms. In the banking sector, one of the greatest changes involved […]
29
10
The Caracas Metro – innovative funding
In the twentieth century, Caracas became an important economic centre in Latin America. With the […]
28
10
BNP Paribas, an Asian story
In the nineteenth century, British and Japanese banks dominated the Asian banking system. However, French […]
24
10
BNL, the bank for Italian cinema for over 80 years
Cinema involves both creation and production. In France, BNP Paribas has close ties with the […]
24
10
Alphonse Pinard, a republican banker
Alphonse Pinard (1815-1871) is an important figure in the history of banking in France. He […]
13
10
Payments Solutions: when innovation plays “leapfrog”
Although bartering was one of the first forms of trade, exchange units were gradually introduced. […]
25
09
A bygone job – the bank messenger
In the nineteenth century and until the 1960s, banking called upon certain jobs that no […]
25
09
Financial support for Paz del Rio – a successful gamble
In the early 1950s, European countries were severely weakened after the two World Wars. New […]
15
09
Barter, cash, contactless: a brief history of payment services and solutions
How to buy, sell and pay your debts? Almost as old as humanity itself, the […]
15
09
Roland-Garros and BNP Paribas, a win-win partnership
As tennis enthusiasts all know, BNP Paribas is an emblematic partner of Roland-Garros. The group […]
24
06
The Perilous Mission of a Paris Banker during the ‘Phoney War’
by Hélène Bhys, Historia How Jacques Allier, a senior banker at Paribas, managed to […]
22
06
Alexis Rostand: a skilful and prudent administrator
Alexis Rostand (1844-1919), a leading figure in the history of French banking, was renowned for […]
22
06
Bank and customer, an increasingly personalised service
The history of banks is also the history of how they serve their customers. The […]
22
06
A History quiz
“Quizz Histoire Eco” – what is it? A game available on internet and a mobile […]
22
06
The forerunners of BNP Paribas and the stock market crash of 1929
In France in 1930 not all banks were equal when facing the consequences of the […]
22
06
The arrival of women in banking
Up until the 1880s, bank employees were exclusively male. But the creation of new administrative […]
22
06
Banks top the bill
Preferring discretion and a low profile, banks took their time before beginning to use advertising […]
08
06
A strong branch network in Tunisia since 1894
The Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris (CNEP) and Banque Nationale pour le Commerce et l’Industrie […]
08
06
BNP Paribas Group businesses in the Netherlands for 150 years
The history of BNP Paribas in the Netherlands goes back a long way and starts […]
08
06
More than 150 years in India
BNP Paribas shares a long history with India. The Bank was established in Calcutta in […]
05
06
From bold venture to regional hub: BNP Paribas in the Gulf States
The history of BNP Paribas in the Gulf States highlights the pioneering strategy pursued by […]
05
06
In Australia since 1881
The Comptoir d’Escompte de Paris set up establishments in Melbourne and Sydney in 1881 to […]
