Innovation

Savings and Investment: essential support for the economy and society

Globally, savings and investment are essential pillars of financing the economy, playing a vital role in driving business growth and helping the economy navigate ongoing transitions, such as the shift towards sustainability, technological advancements, and European sovereignty. By effectively channelling savings and investment, BNP Paribas plays a fundamental role in bridging the gap between savers and the economy's substantial financing needs. Leveraging its size and expertise, the Bank is uniquely positioned to support its diverse client base, including individuals, businesses, and institutional investors, in developing and implementing their savings and investment strategies. What are the key considerations and opportunities in savings and investment, and how can savers and investors make informed decisions to achieve their goals?

Why invest?

Savings and investment play a vital role in the economy, benefiting individuals, businesses, and institutional investors alike.

  • Saving and investing are essential for protecting oneself and planning for the future

    Saving is crucial for both short-term protection and long-term security, enabling individuals to:

    • Cover unexpected expenses (emergency savings).
    • Fund future projects, such as buying a home, education, or travel (goal-based savings).
    • Prepare for retirement and pass on wealth to loved ones (long-term savings).

  • Saving is key to optimising cash flow management and financing growth

    Savings are essential for ensuring financial health and long-term viability, as they enable businesses to:

    • Manage cash flow and absorb unexpected expenses.
    • Finance investments needed for growth.
    • Reduce reliance on debt and associated costs.
    • Improve financial flexibility to respond to market opportunities and risks.

  • Investing is critical to safeguarding and growing the savings of households and businesses

    Institutional investors act as intermediaries between those with surplus savings (often individuals) and those with financing needs (businesses, states, etc.). They play a crucial role in securing and growing the savings of households and businesses. Their investments enable them to:

    • Strengthen client confidence and maintain financial stability.
    • Contribute to economic development and job creation.
    • Manage risks and protect clients' savings.
    • Meet their future obligations to clients, such as pension payments or capital disbursements.

What are savings used for?

Savings play a crucial role in financing the economy and driving economic, social, and environmental development. When making investment decisions, it is essential to consider the potential impact of investments on the economy and society and to be able to choose, in line with priorities and values, to support companies and projects that promote innovation, growth, job creation, and environmental protection.

“As a leading financial player in Europe, BNP Paribas plays a vital role in financing the economy and supporting ongoing transformations, contributing to the strengthening of Europe's sovereignty in strategic sectors”, says Jean Lemierre, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BNP Paribas. 

To provide clear and transparent guidance to its stakeholders, BNP Paribas has long published its sectoral policies, which outline the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria that guide its financing and investment decisions across all business lines, products, and services, and in all countries where it operates.

  • Financing the economy

    Savings play a key role in financing the development of new businesses and the growth of existing ones, supporting job creation and economic activity, and funding investment in infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals, as well as logistics warehouses and data centres. Additionally, savings finance research and development for new technologies and products, and the production of goods and services that meet consumers' needs.

  • Responsible investing

    Convinced that social and environmental challenges can only be addressed collectively, BNP Paribas has long offered solutions to all its clients, both individuals and businesses, enabling them to invest their savings in a more sustainable world. This is achieved by supporting companies that place environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria at the heart of their strategy. Various European labels guarantee the genuine sustainability credentials of certain funds, including ISR (France), Towards Sustainability (Belgium), FNG-Siegel (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), LuxFLAG (Luxembourg), and Nordic Swan Ecolabel (Nordic countries). In France, two additional thematic labels are available: Greenfin, focused on the ecological transition, and Finansol, which certifies solidarity-based investment products.

    Everything you need to know about SFDR

  • Investing in innovation

    Investing in global companies with high growth potential helps drive the development of innovative solutions in sectors that are transforming the economy. This approach supports companies that are developing solutions to improve efficiency and productivity in areas such as healthcare, energy, retail, industry, services, transport, and payments - sectors where BNP Paribas is pursuing a strategy that prioritises innovation and personalisation. These companies are creating new business models through products and services that are more responsible, accessible, or personalised, leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as innovations in personalised medicine, renewable energy, and electric mobility.

  • Funding the European model

    Investing in financial products listed on European Union markets, such as shares, bonds, and funds, helps support European sovereignty by preserving the European Union's autonomy and resilience in crucial sectors, including energy, technology, defence, agriculture, water treatment, healthcare, infrastructure, and payments. By channelling savings into the European economy, investors also support the European Union's initiative, known as the Savings and Investment Union, which aims to create a single financing market for all Member States, essential for strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy.

  • Supporting defence companies

    BNP Paribas has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to supporting the financing of defence companies, primarily within NATO countries, mainly in Europe. As Europe's leading corporate bank, BNP Paribas had deployed €26 billion by the end of 2025 to large groups, mid-cap companies, and SMEs, with €12 billion directly allocated to the defence sector. This support takes various forms, including lending (financed by savings on the Bank's balance sheet), guarantees, bond issuance, export finance, and asset management. Additionally, BNP Paribas makes direct equity investments in this sector.

    BNP Paribas supports financing for companies in the defence sector
We believe that the energy transition, technological shift, and the protection of European sovereignty, along with the development of the defence industry, pose significant challenges that demand our engagement and backing. Notably, our clients' interest in these areas has increased substantially. As a leading financial institution in Europe, BNP Paribas is poised to support these transformations and address our clients' needs by ramping up the development of tailored solutions and funds."

Renaud Dumora

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of BNP Paribas, in charge of Investment & Protection Services (IPS) 

What are the main asset classes and investment vehicles? 

The investment universe provides savers with a vast array of options, organised around three key dimensions:

  • Asset class, which includes equities, bonds, property, currencies, commodities, and other investment categories.  
  • Holding method, which can be either direct, through the purchase of individual shares and bonds, or indirect, through investment funds.
  • Legal or tax framework, which encompasses various structures such as regulated savings schemes, life insurance, securities accounts, retirement savings plans, and other tax-advantaged vehicles.

BNP Paribas offers a comprehensive and diversified range of products that covers all aspects of saving and investing, providing a broad spectrum of choices for savers.

Financial markets and the stock exchange 

Investors can access a range of asset classes across various financial markets, including: 

  • Shares: by buying shares investors hold a stake in a listed company's capital, with potential for profit and risk of loss. 
  • Bonds: investors lend money to governments or companies in exchange for interest, typically with lower risk. 
  • Investment funds: these funds invest savings in diversified portfolios (shares, bonds, property, etc.) managed by professionals.
  • Indirect property investment: investors can invest in property through collective investment vehicles (SCPI, OPCI) or alternative real estate funds, without directly holding the underlying assets.

Several investment vehicles are available, including: securities accounts, PEA (Share Savings Plan), life insurance, PER (Retirement Savings Plan), and investment funds such as thematic funds, SRI-labelled funds, equity funds, bond funds, diversified funds or index funds (ETFs – Exchange-Traded Funds), SICAVs (Open-Ended Investment Companies), FCPs (Mutual Funds) and alternative funds (real estate, private debt, private equity, hedge funds). 

Direct real estate investment 

Investing directly in real estate involves taking an active role in managing real estate investments by buying and selling assets such as apartments, houses, offices, or commercial spaces. Investing in real estate is relatively accessible and offers certain advantages. The motivations behind this approach can be to diversify assets to build capital, prepare for retirement, pass on a legacy, or generate regular income. 

Investments in unlisted companies: private equity and private debt 

Private equity involves investing in companies that are not listed on the stock exchange (non-listed) at various stages of their development, from early growth to maturity. Private equity funds provide support to these companies, helping them to expand and achieve their full potential. Historically, this type of investment was for institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals, but it has gradually opened to the general public. 

Investing in private equity, and in private companies, diversifies portfolios although it's essential to note that this asset class is generally illiquid and carries higher risks compared to listed investments. 

Private debt involves lending to both publicly traded and private companies, with specialised funds providing loans in exchange for interest payments. This investment opportunity allows for portfolio diversification, but it also comes with significant risks, including the risk of default and typically low liquidity, as capital is often committed for several years. Private debt is primarily geared towards institutional and professional investors, while individual investors can access it indirectly through dedicated funds, but this is typically reserved for high-net-worth and sophisticated investors who are able to accept the associated illiquidity and credit risk.

Decentralised finance and cryptocurrencies  

Decentralised finance (DeFi), encompassing digital currencies, stablecoins, and cryptocurrencies, provides an innovative and decentralised approach to investing, but also entails inherent risks. Blockchain technology, which underlies these innovations, has evolved beyond its emerging phase, transforming the financial landscape. It is now being leveraged for asset tokenisation, cross-border payments, and other applications, enhancing efficiency, security, and innovation in financial markets. As a pioneer in financial innovation, BNP Paribas is proactively exploring future applications.

Why is BNP Paribas a trusted partner? 

BNP Paribas is a trusted partner for savings and investment services, offering a range of tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of each client. 

Stability, strength and security: the pillars of trust 

BNP Paribas is committed to providing a stable, robust and secure financial environment for our clients and partners. This commitment is built on: 

  • Stability, ensured by a long-term management approach and a culture of responsibility supported by a strong international presence. 
  • Financial strength, achieved through prudent management and a rigorous risk policy. 

  • Enhanced security which protects data and transactions with advanced protection measures, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to prevent major risks such as cyber-attacks.

Technology at the heart of improving the client experience 

BNP Paribas' priority is to offer innovative solutions while protecting from cyber risks, securing data, and enhancing the client experience. To achieve this, the Group is:  

  • Modernising its applications, interfaces, and infrastructure to provide innovative solutions while protecting from cyber risks and securing data.  
  • Leveraging AI to gain a deeper understanding of our clients' needs, providing faster and more relevant responses, and optimising investment portfolio allocation proposals.  
  • Deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) across approximately 850 use cases, with a strong emphasis on generative AI.  

  • Collaborating with partners, such as Mistral AI, to deploy AI models across our business lines.

  • Developing the 'Gambit Wealth Platform', a wealth management platform created by the fintech firm Gambit Financial Solutions, which provides digital technology solutions for financial savings advice and allocation. 

We aim to be the leading bank for financial savings in Europe, catering to all client segments. To achieve this, we will focus on enhancing our offering, while also expanding our digital distribution channels and leveraging artificial intelligence to elevate the client experience. Additionally, we aim to play a strategic role in facilitating the intergenerational transfer of wealth, providing expert guidance and support to our clients as they navigate this ongoing process.”

Virginie Delaunay

Savings Initiative Co-Sponsor and Deputy CEO of BNP Paribas Wealth Management, in charge of CPBS markets

A leader in asset management

With BNP Paribas Asset Management, BNP Paribas offers a leading integrated asset management platform, which has been significantly expanded through the successful acquisition of AXA Investment Managers, effective 1 July 2025.

As of 31 December 2025, key figures include:

  1. €1.6 trillion in assets under management, offering comprehensive coverage across various asset classes, as well as a diverse range of strategies and distribution channels.
  2. €850 billion in long-term savings assets, according to IPE 2025, based on assets under management data published by leading asset managers in 2024.
  3. €300 billion in alternative assets under management, solidifying BNP Paribas' position as Europe's leading alternative asset manager by assets under management.
  4. A top 10 ranking among European ETF providers.
  5. An active presence in 40 countries worldwide.

BNP Paribas Asset Management leverages its expertise, a substantial footprint in the financial markets and the strength of the BNP Paribas ecosystem to connect savers and investors with a broad range of opportunities across public and private markets, fostering a unique and comprehensive investment experience.

1.6

trillion euros

in assets under management thanks to the acquisition of AXA IM in 2025

A global leader in insurance 

BNP Paribas Cardif provides its policyholders with a range of products and services - such as life insurance - designed to help them achieve their goals while protecting themselves against life's uncertainties. As the insurance subsidiary of BNP Paribas, the company is built on a unique partnership-based business model. BNP Paribas Cardif creates innovative insurance products for over 500 distribution partners across various sectors, including banks and financial institutions, automotive, retail, and telecommunications companies, as well as for wealth management advisers and brokers who offer these products to their clients. 

As of 31 December 2025, key figures include:

  • 9,000 employees in 30 countries 
  • 500 distribution partners 
  • €302 billion in assets under management in 2025
  • €40.5 billion in revenue in 2025

Personalised advice in investment

BNP Paribas' personalised advice provides a comprehensive wealth management approach that considers individual circumstances, life goals, risk tolerance, liquidity requirements, and investment horizon, as well as preferences for responsible investing (ESG). Our banking advisers and wealth managers, who are financial experts, utilise specialised tools to analyse and filter data, select financial instruments that align with objectives, and regularly adjust allocations in response to market developments. This personalised advisory approach combines a human relationship built on expertise and trust with high-performance technological tools, supporting informed decision-making. 

For the second consecutive year, BNP Paribas, through its Commercial Bank in France, has been awarded the "Best Savings Advice" label by Challenges magazine. 

Discretionary management

Discretionary management allows to delegate the financial management of one or more life insurance, pension, or capitalisation policies to our experts. BNP Paribas offers a range of solutions tailored to financial profile, risk profile, and responsible investment preferences, taking into account investment horizons.

Our digital platform, MyMand@te (only in French), provides a digital discretionary management service. Additionally, a new comprehensive and educational savings portal in a 'Dashboard' format is available to facilitate investment management.