BNP Paribas group communications

BNP Paribas group communications supported by historical archives

Alongside the work of the Historical Archives department of Paribas and subsequently BNP Paribas, the BNP Paribas Historical Association has promoted various communications initiatives. As the importance of corporate culture and business history are increasingly recognized, the Association strives to promote the value of historical materials. The dynamic activities of the Association are supported by volunteers, interns, historians and researchers.

BNP Paribas enjoys a rich heritage that touches documents, buildings and works of art. It is thus important to take into consideration the value of these materials to the group's communications.

Since its founding the Association has cultivated ties with other associations and researchers, as well as renowned historians and writers. Its efforts are supported by networks of former and current employees of BNP Paribas.

Symposiums and Round Tables

The first symposium organized by the European Association for Banking and Financial History (EABH) on banks' historical archives was hosted in Paris by Paribas in February 1991.

Association members have taken part in numerous symposiums and seminars organized by other associations and groups of historians or archivists. These contacts foster fruitful exchanges in the area of banking history and archives.

Communicating history

Publications on BNP, Paribas and BNP Paribas

• Paribas, l'Europe et le monde by Eric Bussière. - Fonds Mercator, 1992.
• Handbook on the History of European Banks, containing short histories of BNP and Paribas - EABH, 1994.
• Horace Finaly, banquier by Eric Bussière. - Fayard, 1996.
• Banquiers d'avenir. Des comptoirs d'escompte à la naissance de BNP PARIBAS by Félix Torrès. - Albin Michel, 2000.

Jacques de Fouchier and Pierre Moussa, former chairmen of Paribas, as well as Henry Bizot and Pierre Ledoux, former chairmen of BNP, have all published their memoirs and provided materials for the archives.

• Articles published in the magazine Entreprises et Histoire :
  • "Entre la banque mixte et la banque d'affaires: la Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas et sa stratégie industrielle, 1900-1930, E. Bussière", 1992.
  • "Les grandes banques françaises ont-elles aidé les entreprises ?" : Round Table chaired by A. Plessis, with the participation of P. de Longuemar, 1992.
  • "Les Archives Historiques de la Banque Paribas", M.-C. Fière, S. Marinelli, 1994.
  • "La constitution de sources orales au sein d'un service d'Archives historiques : l'expérience de Paribas", P. de Longuemar, 1998.
  • "Mythes et réalité de l'autofinancement ou comment les entreprises se financent-elles ?" : Round Table, with panel member Jean Eschbach, 1999.
• Articles published in Financial History Review (Cambridge University Press) :
  • "Incorporating oral sources within an archives department : the Paribas experience", Pierre de Longuemar, 2001
  • "The state, banks and financing of investments in France from World War II to the 1970's", Laure Quennouëlle-Corre, 2005
• Article published in the magazine Perspectives :
  • "Faut-il exploiter les archives bancaires pour le marketing ?", P. de Longuemar, 1993
• Articles published in inhouse publications (non exhaustive) :
  • "La BNP avant la BNP", Dialogue, 1980.
  • "BNP : vingt ans d'histoire", Dialogue, 1986.
  • "L'Orangerie, côté cour", 1992.
  • "Cernuschi", 1992.
  • "Le règlement intérieur en 1946", 1992.
  • "Jacques Allier sur la piste de l'eau lourde", 1994.
  • "L'histoire au temps présent" : présentation du service, 1994.
  • "Le voyage d'Horace Finaly au Japon en 1907", 1995.
  • "Une banque pour le Mexique" : Jacques Kulp, 1996.
  • "Banquiers de la Belle Epoque" : Chantal Ronzon-Bélot, Amitiés Info, 2001.
  • "L'Association pour l'Histoire de BNP PARIBAS", Amitiés Info, 2004.

Conferences

• May 1998 : "La création des archives historiques et la constitution de sources orales à Paribas", at l'Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, by Pierre de Longuemar
• September 1999 : "Une culture d'entreprise ? Paribas", seminar at Ecole Nationale du Patrimoine at the Archives Départementales de la Charente-Maritime, La Rochelle, by Pierre de Longuemar.
• February 2001 : by Eric Bussière and Pierre de Longuemar at "Entretiens de la Maison Dorée" held at the head office of BNP Paribas : "Paribas, l'histoire d'une grande banque internationale".