Many countries are bidding to build Islamic finance hubs; France and Canada are no exception, but each is taking a very different course.
Western Europe
Latest articles from France
Christine Lagarde - Interview
December 23, 2009The no-nonsense style of France’s finance minister has won her many admirers. She tells The Banker of how she intends to tackle the hardest task of her tenure, that of regulating France and Europe’s post-crisis banking landscape. Writer Silvia Pavoni
BNP Paribas' Alain Papiasse on the difference an acquisition can make
November 27, 2009BNP Paribas' acquisition of Fortis has considerably increased the size of the bank's Corporate & Investment Banking arm's balance sheet. The French bank says now is the time to use it to win advisory business.
A little fine tuning
June 4, 2009Although France's banking sector has been dealt a few blows during the past two years, its retail sector remains strong compared with its European peers. Writer Wendy Atkins
The future of French banking
February 2, 2009Are French banks in a stronger position than others to weather the economic crisis? Probably yes, as their model, which is more stable and highly diversified, differs appreciably from that of other international players.
Co-operative model stands strong
August 4, 2008Unlisted French financial institutions have demonstrated the merits of their conservative strategies, which have made them more resilient than their listed competitors in the face of market pressure. Karina Robinson reports.
From French retail to a global business mix
February 4, 2008BNP Paribas has been expanding its businesses globally, both through acquisition and organic growth, and the previously predominant French operations are slowly but surely decreasing in significance. In an interview with Brian Caplen, CEO Baudouin Prot says that the anchor to all the bank’s business remains its retail base.
A gateway to Euro markets
November 5, 2007Gilles Denoyel, deputy CEO of HSBC France, details the advantages Paris offers over other locations including an internationally renowned school of maths and finance and its access to the Eurosystem.
savoir faire
November 5, 2007Given the Euronext/NYSE merger, Paris now has massive economies of scale to add to its world-renowned expertise in areas including derivatives and risk-based modelling. Arnaud de Bresson explains.
A two-track mind
November 5, 2007French finance minister Christine Lagarde talks to Courtney Fingar about the tax and labour reforms being pursued by the Sarkozy administration.