A year of changes
For BNP Paribas Bank Polska, 2019 was a breakthrough year—we closed a major chapter in building our bank by finalizing the process of operational merger while maintaining business and financial efficiency. As the Bank of Green Changes we consistently supported sustainable growth.
Record-high
results
In 2019, the BNP Paribas Bank Polska Group recorded the highest results in its history.
Integration of banks
By finalizing the process of integration of the acquired core business of Raiffeisen Bank Polska, we strengthened our position as a leading universal bank in Poland, ranking sixth in asset value.
A year of transformation
for the Bank
We focus on the needs of clients who expect a modern bank to deliver excellent service quality at branches and online.
We are the Bank
of Green Changes
Concern for the environment is one of the key commitments of Bank BNP Paribas.
Leader of the 13th Ranking
of Responsible Companies
In the 13th edition of the Ranking of Responsible Companies, we took 1st place in the general classification and 1st place in the category of banking, finance and insurance.
In 2019, the BNP Paribas Bank Polska Group recorded the highest results in its history. Net profit stood at PLN 614.7 million, up 70.6% y/y. Excluding integration costs, net profit of the Group exceeded PLN 950.5 million. In Q4, the Group generated a net profit of PLN 121.3 million, up 5.7% q/q.
Net banking income in 2019 stood at PLN 4.52 billion, indicating a new level of income earned by the Group.
In 2019 the Bank was developing both its offering for individuals clients and for businesses. In April 2019, it launched its flagship product “Konto Otwarte na Ciebie” [Account Opened to You], which allows retail clients to select a card tailor-made to their individual needs. The sale of mortgage loans reached a record level and BNP Paribas TFI achieved the highest increase among medium-sized and big TFIs in Poland.
At the same time the Bank continued to develop its digital application ecosystem: it implemented new online banking – GOonline and consistently enhanced its mobile app GOmobile to include new functionalities. Both applications have already attracted over one million active users. The revamped FX PL@NET platform has gained a lot of popularity among businesses, offering quick and secure FX transactions. The high service quality translates into the Bank’s strong position in this market segment.
The bank’s responsibility in the area of ESG (environmental, social and governance) primarily means long-term financing of the economy and building lasting relations with customers in compliance with ethical principles, a responsible approach to employee growth and engagement, increasing the availability of products and services, openness to customers’ needs, and initiatives supporting local communities, limiting negative impacts of operations, pro-ecological products and services, and promotion of eco awareness.
On 31 October 2018 Bank BGŻ BNP Paribas acquired the core business of Raiffeisen Bank Polska S.A., which was confirmed by the relevant entry in the National Court Register. Rebranding followed in 2019. Since 1 April 2019 the combined organization has operated under the name BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A.
In November 2019 the final phase of the banks’ merger was carried out—full integration of systems and processes. The operational merger also occurred, i.e. migration of customer data to the ultimate IT systems and consolidation of operational systems across the entire firm. It was one of the largest operations of this type in the history of Polish banking. This successfully completed the over year-long integration process.
At the beginning of 2019 the bank’s rebranding was carried out, and the BNP Paribas brand was introduced in all banking materials and IT systems. Since 1 April 2019 the bank has operated under the name BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A. Communication of this change was supported by an extensive marketing campaign, among other measures. In line with the consistent plan for introduction of the BNP Paribas brand, relevant changes were also made to the names of the Bank Group companies as well as the Foundation.
Rebranding:
BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A. „The Bank for a changing world”
The foundation of the Fast Forward strategy for 2018–2021, adopted by the bank’s management board and supervisory board in May 2018, is a focus on the customer and digital transformation of products, services and processes, in order to expedite growth and increase profitability. Achievement of financial targets in 2019 is presented alongside.
The bank’s Transformation Program was launched in 2017. Its aim was a maximum focus on the needs of customers, who expect from a modern bank first and foremost excellent quality of services delivered not just at traditional branches, but primarily online, wherever the customer needs and at the time convenient to the customer.
- rebranding – new brand positioning
- Standardisation of the service model
- new flagship product offer
- Launch of the Agronomist portal
- launch of GOonline for customers
- new platform - FX Pl@net for corporate clients
- start of GOmobile 2.0
- Completion of operational merger
In 2019 we continued the transformation of the network of locations with a new layout and new customer service model based on shifting basic, everyday transactions to self-service channels.
The bank is taking steps to increase the accessibility of its products and services. The bank’s locations are undoing a process of audits and certifications for accessibility for persons with mobility impairments, the sight- and hearing-impaired, older customers, parents with children, and others with special needs. In 2019 the bank received the Accessibility Leader 2019 award for implementing accommodations for persons with disabilities at the bank’s branches, and the OK Senior ® quality certificate for implementing the process of adapting locations to the needs of persons over age 60.
Concern for the environment is one of the key commitments of Bank BNP Paribas. We believe that all change begins with ourselves, which is why every day we place huge importance on actions for the good of our planet.
A key dimension of Bank BNP Paribas’s responsibility is supporting economic growth through responsible financing. At Bank BNP Paribas we understand this to mean concern for the highest ethical standards, monitoring the environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects of transactions with all our clients, and offering customers products and services responding to global challenges and the conditions of the local market, including the changing needs of our own customers.
We base our sustainable approach on building lasting relations with customers and other stakeholders in line with ethical principles. We seek to have an impact on the business in which we operate, which is why in 2019, together with partners, we launched the Responsible Sales Declaration—self-regulation by the financial industry.
We are at a moment of unprecedented economic changes. As the bank for a changing world, we seek not only to keep pace with changes, but also to be for our customers a partner who understands the challenges and needs they face, substantially supporting their growth plans and inspiring them to set ambitious new goals. Bank BNP Paribas seeks to responsibly support and stimulate the growth of innovations in Poland, and also the expansion of domestic enterprises onto foreign markets. In 2018 we were the first bank in Poland to present the Code for Cooperation with Startups, and we continually support innovations fostering sustainable growth.
Bank BNP Paribas has an active employee volunteer program with the motto “You can count on me.”
Every employee is entitled to two additional days off per year for volunteer activity. The opportunities for social engagement are extensive. Employees can engage in individual volunteering, working for a social organization of their choosing, or participating as educators in the “Bakcyl” Bankers for Youth Financial Education program, coordinated by the Warsaw Institute of Banking.