New York, NY / Indian Wells, CA, March 4, 2026 – BNP Paribas, Europe’s leading financial institution and one of the foremost global sponsors of tennis, announces the start of the 2026 BNP Paribas Open and confirms its enduring commitment to the sport through numerous initiatives. BNP Paribas has supported tennis for over 50 years and aims to promote tennis at every level, including championing accessibility and inclusivity, as well as community programs and professional tournaments. 

BNP Paribas believes that tennis has the power to inspire and drive positive change in communities, and is committed to making the sport more accessible. During the 2026 tournament, the bank will implement various local programs that promote community engagement and support important causes, including youth development and education:

  • BNP Paribas Open Scholarship Program: Celebrating its 11th anniversary, BNP Paribas is thrilled to expand its scholarship program, increasing the number of recipients from four to ten students from four local Coachella Valley high schools. The recipients will each be awarded $20,000 college grants during a ceremony hosted at La Quinta High School on March 12. They will also be congratulated during an on-court presentation at the BNP Paribas Open on March 14.
  • Points for Change: Launched during the 2023 French Open, the “Points for Change” campaign transforms every point scored during all BNP Paribas-sponsored professional tournaments, including the BNP Paribas Open, into donations which benefit local groups by promoting education and inclusion through sport. For the third consecutive year,  BNP Paribas Open’s “Points For Change” initiative will donate to the non-profit Girls on the Run Riverside Chapter, serving Riverside and San Bernadino Counties. The final point total at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open was 26,361, resulting in $26,361 for Girls on the Run.
  • #FAAPointsForChange: Since 2020, BNP Paribas has supported Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime (ATP World No. 7) in his commitment to building a better future for youth in the West African nation of Togo. Félix has pledged to donate $5 for each point he wins during the tournament and BNP Paribas will match with $15 per point. In 2025, the program evolved into college scholarships for excellence granted to 30 talented students from rural areas in Togo enabling them to succeed in higher education.
  • Team BNP Paribas Young Talents, featuring Team Mac 1: Joining forces with the John McEnroe Tennis Academy to help the next generation of top-level tennis players reach their goals and dreams, this global program provides coaching and financial support to over 150 talented young athletes around the world on the path to professional careers. Players are granted the opportunity to train under the direct supervision of tennis professionals and legends. The program began in 2018 with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in France and in 2019 with John and Patrick McEnroe in the United States, which provides financial support and trains children 11-17 years old who have the potential to become tomorrow’s champions. The Young Talents Group currently consists of 10 players.
  • International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF): BNP Paribas is entering its second year of collaboration with the ITHF at the bank’s display in the Sponsor Village of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. This year’s interactive experience, Letters to Greatness, will be open to the public starting March 1. Fans are invited to record or write their messages of congratulations to the ITHF’s Class of 2026 inductees, Roger Federer and Mary Carillo. On March 5 at 5 p.m., press is invited to attend as ITHF President Patrick McEnroe joins several Hall of Famers in the tent. Press interested in attending should contact ithf@160over90.com to RSVP. BNP Paribas has been a long-term partner with the ITHF supporting the “Legends Ball” in NYC, the induction celebrations, as well as participating as a member of the group’s board. The ITHF is a non-profit organization in Newport, Rhode Island, that preserves the history of tennis and celebrates its champions to inspire excellence across generations globally.
  • Ticket Donation: BNP Paribas will again allocate a significant number of BNP Paribas Open tickets to local schools and nonprofit organizations to give young fans the opportunity to experience the thrill of live, professional tennis, a first for many.
  • Activations at BNP Paribas Midtown NYC Headquarters and NJ Office: There are several initiatives, including a contest in which employees won the opportunity to attend the tournament as special correspondents; a new partnership with L’Ami Pierre (149 W 51st Street at 6½ Avenue) showcasing Tennis Channel coverage and serving a signature coffee drink and themed pastries; and BNP Paribas Open branded merchandise in exchange for charitable donations for City Parks.

José Placido, CEO of BNP Paribas USA and CIB Americas said: “As a longstanding global sponsor of tennis, BNP Paribas is proud of our role in helping turn the Coachella Valley into the epicenter of the tennis universe where the best players in the world compete. Tennis is part of our DNA and a reflection of our values – through our local and global philanthropic commitments we’re able to support meaningful growth and ambition in tennis at all levels. I am grateful to all our employees and partners, who come together each year to ensure the success of this major tournament, and I look forward to enjoying two weeks of top-level tennis.”

BNP Paribas collaborates with local organizations and schools to support and promote tennis as a sport for all. BNP Paribas recognizes the importance of accessible and inclusive sporting opportunities and aims to contribute to promoting tennis throughout the local community.

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Press Contacts:

BNP PARIBAS

Jelena Nedelka

External Communications

+1 (332) 280 1394

Jelena.Nedelka@us.bnpparibas.com

BNP PARIBAS OPEN

Joe Weinberg

MVT PR

jweinberg@mvtpr.com

  • Professional tennis: main sponsor of Roland-Garros since 1973, sponsor of three ATP Masters 1000 tournaments (BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome), of the Grand Prix Aurvergne Rhone Alpes in Lyon and of the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open in Bruxelles (ATP250), of the Strasbourg Internationals (WTA500) and of numerous Challenger tournaments in the secondary professional circuit.
  • Tennis en Fauteuil: title partner of the BNP Paribas World Team Cup, partner of the French Riviera Open and the Swiss Open Geneva;
  • University tennis: partner of the French University Sports Federation and the BNP Paribas Master’U since 1993;
  • Amateur tennis: sponsor of the BNP Paribas Family trophy and National Tennis Cup trophy and partner of more than 1000 amateur tournaments supported by the bank worldwide;
  • Corporate sports: The BNP Paribas internal tournament (We Are Tennis Cup) is one of the world’s leading corporate sports events (3,500 participants each year).

About BNP Paribas and tennis

BNP Paribas shares with tennis fans the love of this sport through a historic commitment that began in 1973 and applies to all levels of tennis worldwide: from tennis clubs to tournaments where the greatest players and players compete.

The diversity of BNP Paribas’ commitments demonstrates the Group’s passion for tennis, a true love story that has been growing steadily for more than 50 years. Here is a summary of its current anchors in all its dimensions.

BNP Paribas, a loyal supporter of tomorrow’s tennis for more than 50 years, supports future generations in the belief that tennis is an even more influential sport when it is focused on youth.

  • Supporting ambitious new generations:
    • BNP Paribas supports more than 150 young tennis and handi-tennis players in their career development, as part of its “Team BNP Paribas Young Talents” program in France (under the mentorship of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and in association with the French Tennis Federation), the United States (with John and Patrick McEnroe), Belgium (with Justine Henin), Canada (with Félix Auger-Aliassime) and Italy, Poland, and Japan.
    • BNP Paribas has also been a partner in the selection of Roland-Garros ball kids for 25 years. Since 2000, more than 6,000 young people have been able to realize their dream by participating in Roland-Garros as ball kids.
  • Supporting a more inclusive, accessible and solidarity-based tennis: BNP Paribas is a creator and accelerator of social projects related to tennis alongside more than 20 national tennis federations and dozens of charities:
    • The “#FAAPointsForChange” program in partnership with Canadian player Félix Auger-Aliassime was launched in 2020. For every point won on the ATP tour, Félix gives $5 and BNP Paribas adds $15. The money raised is used to finance scholarships for talented students from rural areas in Togo.
    • The ‘Points for Change’ program, launched on the occasion of the 50-year partnership with Roland-Garros in 2023, aims to transform the points scored by players on court into solidarity initiatives for the inclusion of young generations through sport. Each point scored on each single match of the professional tournaments partnered by BNP Paribas is valued and converted into funding. This mechanism helped to strengthen the following commitments:
      • The historic partnership since 2001 with Yannick Noah’s “Fête le Mur” charity to promote access to tennis among young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
      • “Girls On the Run – Riverside chapter”, a charity based in the Coachella valley. “Girls On The Run” promotes sports for youth by integrating exercise and a research program to improve girls’ living conditions across the United States.
      • And many more around the world, in Poland, Italy, the UK, etc.

About BNP Paribas

Leader in banking and financial services in Europe, BNP Paribas operates in 64 countries and has nearly 178,000 employees, including more than 144,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Commercial, Personal Banking & Services for the Group’s commercial & personal banking and several specialised businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment & Protection Services for savings, investment and protection solutions; and Corporate & Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realise their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. In Europe, BNP Paribas has four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial & personal banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Türkiye, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group’s performance and stability.

Meghan Robson on Bloomberg TV

Meghan Robson, Head of US Credit Strategy at BNP Paribas, joined Bloomberg TV’s Real Yield to discuss the current outlook for credit markets with anchor Scarlet Fu.

Watch the segment here.

Meghan Robson, Head of US Credit Strategy at BNP Paribas, expects inflation to accelerate a bit in 2026 due to pressure on goods inflation. She sees one more rate cut next year but inflation will prevent the Federal Reserve from extending its cutting cycle. She speaks to Bloomberg’s Carol Massar, Tim Stenovec, and Michael McKee on ‘Bloomberg Businessweek Daily.’

Watch the clip here.

Guneet Dhingra, Head of US Rates Strategy at BNP Paribas, discusses the dissenting votes against Wednesday’s rate cut decision and how AI is becoming a major macro force on Bloomberg Radio.

Watch the interview here.

Karl Ackerman, managing director of semiconductors and networking hardware at BNP Paribas Research, joins Ed Ludlow and Caroline Hyde to discuss Broadcom on “Bloomberg Tech.”

Watch the clip here.

BNP Paribas Head of US Rates Strategy, Markets 360 Guneet Dhingra, appeared on “Market Domination” on Yahoo Finance, to discuss the upcoming December Fed meeting and the view that dissent from the rate decision could be more common in 2026.

Watch the interview here.

BNP Paribas Chief U.S. Economist James Egelhof discussed the October Federal Reserve meeting and Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference at The Bond Buyer’s LEADERS’ podcast on October 30, 2025. Access the video here.

New York, August 7, 2025 – BNP Paribas, a leading European bank, today announces the appointment of five senior equity research analysts to its NYC-based team:

Matt Akers is appointed to Senior Analyst, U.S. Aerospace & Defense and Government Services. Matt has been covering the industry since 2012 and joins BNP Paribas from Wells Fargo, where he was Senior Analyst covering the same group. Prior to Wells Fargo, Matt was part of a highly ranked A&D team at Barclays. Matt began his career as an engineer in the defense industry, including work on the F-35, F-22 and Enhanced Night Vision Goggle. Matt holds an MBA from New York University and MS in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer. He is a CFA Charter-holder.

Nicholas Jones is appointed to Senior Analyst for U.S. Large Cap Internet, and will cover e-commerce, online travel, social media, digital advertising, mobility, property technology, and other internet-based businesses. Nicholas has been covering the internet sector since 2016, and technology stocks more broadly since 2012. He joins BNP Paribas from Citizens Bank where he was a Senior Analyst covering Large Cap Internet stocks. Prior to Citizens, Nicholas was a Senior Analyst at Citi, also covering the internet sector. Nicholas holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree from the University at Buffalo in Finance, focused on Financial Engineering.

Seth Weber is appointed to Senior Analyst for U.S. Business & Industrial Services. Seth has more than 25 years of sell-side equity research experience, most recently serving as a Managing Director at RBC Capital Markets and Wells Fargo Securities, where he covered a wide range of Industrial and Business/Information Service companies. Previously, Seth was a senior equity research analyst at UBS and Bank of America Securities, after starting his career at Merrill Lynch. Seth holds a Bachelor’s degree from Bates College and an MBA from Cornell University.

Steve McManus is appointed to Head of Restaurants Equity Research and will lead U.S. restaurants and convenience store coverage. Steve has been with BNP Paribas for five years, previously covering U.S. Retailing Broadlines & Hardlines. Prior to joining BNP Paribas, he spent two years at Nomura on the Retailing Broadlines & Hardlines team, after having worked at BMO Capital Markets and Sidoti & Co.  Steve began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in accounting. He graduated from Fairfield University with a Master’s degree in Accounting and is a CPA.

Xian Siew is appointed to Senior Analyst for U.S. Leisure. Xian has been covering the consumer sector since 2016. He joined BNP Paribas in 2020 as part of the Retail Department Stores & Specialty Softlines team. Prior to joining BNP Paribas, Xian was a member of the Retail Hardlines team at Morgan Stanley. Xian holds a Bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College and is a CFA Charter-holder.

Matt, Nicholas, Seth, Steve, and Xian all report to Michael Rietbrock, BNP Paribas Director of Equity Research, Americas.

José Placido, Chief Executive Officer of BNP Paribas USA and CIB Americas, said: “These five appointments today help deliver on our global strategy of providing cutting-edge products and services to our clients which further solidifies being our clients’ bank of reference. We warmly congratulate and welcome Matt, Nicholas, Seth, Steve, and Xian, and look forward to their contribution in helping the U.S. BNP Paribas Equity Research team excel in the U.S. cash equities space.”   

Adil El Batji, Head of Global Equities in the Americas at BNP Paribas, said: “The BNP Paribas Equity Research US team continues to grow and offers our clients a “one stop” opportunity in every area of the equities space including research, financing, execution, and derivatives areas. We look forward to additional growth in the near future.”

In 2021 BNP Paribas acquired 100 percent of Exane following a successful 17-year partnership and in November 2022, BNP Paribas launched BNP Paribas Equity Research in the US, aligning this offering with the bank’s leading Global Markets platform. Also, in 2024 BNP Paribas further expanded the award-winning NYC-based equity research team when it announced five senior U.S. Analysts.

BNP Paribas has been ranked the number one industry research provider in Europe for nine consecutive years by Extel/Institutional Investor. In addition to best-in-class equities research, clients will continue to benefit from the bank’s top-tier electronic execution and prime brokerage platforms, its state-of-the-art execution platform driven by Cortex Equities, and well-recognized equity derivatives expertise developed over 30 years.

###

Press Contacts:

BNP PARIBAS

Jelena Nedelka

+1 (332) 280-1394

Jelena.Nedelka@us.bnpparibas.com

Guy Taylor

+1 (332) 323-3704

Guild.Taylor@us.bnpparibas.com

About BNP Paribas

Leader in banking and financial services in Europe, BNP Paribas operates in 64 countries and has nearly 178,000 employees, including more than 144,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Commercial, Personal Banking & Services for the Group’s commercial & personal banking and several specialised businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment & Protection Services for savings, investment and protection solutions; and Corporate & Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realise their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. In Europe, BNP Paribas has four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial & personal banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Türkiye, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group’s performance and stability.

Credit: BNP Paribas Open

Longest-Running Title Sponsor in the History of the Tournament with Five-Year Contract Through 2029

New York, NY / Indian Wells, CA, March 14, 2025 – BNP Paribas, Europe’s leading financial institution and a global sponsor of tennis, is pleased to announce the extension of its title sponsorship of the BNP Paribas Open with a five-year contract that runs through 2029. BNP Paribas began its title sponsorship of the tournament in 2009 and has become the longest running sponsor in the event’s history. Over the past 17 years, the tournament has seen record attendance, achieved equal prize money for women, and earned recognition as a favorite among top players.

Often referred to as “Tennis Paradise”, the BNP Paribas Open is held annually in Indian Wells, California. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden is a stunning venue which features the second largest tennis stadium in the world.

José Placido, CEO of BNP Paribas USA and CIB Americas, said: “Renewing the BNP Paribas Open contract is a testament to the continued growth of this event as well as the partnership between the tournament and BNP Paribas. The bank’s commitment to promoting tennis at all levels has made us a trusted partner in tennis and stakeholders, including BNP Paribas clients and staff, making the BNP Paribas Open our marquee tennis event here in the Americas. This agreement ensures the tournament will continue to attract top players, provide a world-class experience for attendees, and contribute to the local Coachella Valley economy, including helping the next generation of players.”

Elise Hermant, Global Head of Communications for BNP Paribas, said: “The title sponsorship of the BNP Paribas Open has proven a great success by any measure and continues to deliver a level of quality that perfectly aligns with BNP Paribas’ values. With the renewal of the contract, we reaffirm our dedication to supporting the growth and development of the BNP Paribas Open and we are looking forward to further elevating the tournament’s status in the tennis world.”


Tommy Haas, Tournament Director of the BNP Paribas Open, said: “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with BNP Paribas. Their support has been instrumental in making the BNP Paribas Open the world-class destination that it is today. We look forward to continuing to work with BNP Paribas in the coming years to build upon the tradition of excellence we have created together and provide fans with the unparalleled experience, thrilling matches and unforgettable moments that they’ve come to expect.”

The European bank is proud to continue supporting this tournament, which in 2024 was voted the Tournament of the Year by both ATP and WTA players for a record-setting tenth consecutive year. The 2024 event also saw record prize money awarded, with nearly $20 million in total across both Tours. The 2024 BNP Paribas Open also set a new all-time attendance record, with 493,440 spectators over the fortnight.

BNP Paribas is one of the largest and longest-standing sponsors of tennis worldwide, with an unparalleled commitment to the sport dating back to 1973 with Roland-Garros, also known as the French Open. BNP Paribas’ support spans every level of the game across the globe, from community tennis to the highest levels of professional competition. This includes singles, doubles, team tennis, wheelchair tennis, youth community and family tennis, ensuring tennis remains accessible for future generations.

Press Contacts:

BNP PARIBAS

Guy Taylor

Media Relations

+1 (332) 323-3704

Guild.Taylor@us.bnpparibas.com

BNP PARIBAS OPEN

Matt Van Tuinen

MVT PR

+1 (773) 860-5828

Matt@mvtpr.com

About BNP Paribas and tennis

BNP Paribas is a major partner of world tennis, with a historic commitment that began in 1973 and applies to all levels of tennis around the world – singles, wheelchair tennis, team and family tennis – from beginners to the biggest professional tournaments.

  • Professional tennis: Official sponsor of the French Open since 1973, Sponsor of three ATP Masters 1000 tournaments (BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells, Rolex Monte Carlo Masters, Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome), the Open 13 Provence in Marseille, the Moselle Open in Metz and the BNP Paribas Nordic Open in Stockholm (ATP250), the Internationaux de Strasbourg (WTA500);
  • Wheelchair tennis: Title partner of the BNP Paribas World Team Cup; partner of the French Riviera Open, the WJP Challenge Tennis and the Swiss Open Geneva;
  • Junior and University tennis: Partner of the French Federation of University Sport and the BNP Paribas Master’U since 1993;
  • Amateur tennis: Sponsor of the BNP Paribas Family Trophy and the National Tennis Cup and partner with numerous amateur tournaments supported by the bank around the world;
  • Support for younger generations: BNP Paribas supports more than 160 young tennis and wheelchair tennis hopefuls in building their careers through its “Team BNP Paribas Jeunes Talents” programme in France (under the patronage of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in association with the FFT), the United States (with John and Patrick McEnroe), Belgium (under the patronage of Justine Henin) and Italy, Poland, Canada, Japan and Portugal. BNP Paribas has also been a partner in the selection of ball boys and girls at the French Open for 25 years.
  • Solidarity-based tennis: A driver of social projects linked to tennis alongside more than 20 national tennis federations and dozens of charities, based on a conviction that tennis is an even better sport when it is collective and geared towards young people.
    • At the initiative of the “#FAAPointsForChange” programme in partnership with young Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime and the solidarity programme “Points For Change” for the inclusion of young generations through sport;
    • Partner CityParks Tennis charity in the United States. This program in New York City provides free tennis lessons to more than 6,000 children between the ages of six and 16 within the five boroughs of New York City. The program is active in more than 39 parks across the five boroughs, including the BNP Paribas Aces Tennis Program for advanced junior players. The Bank supports hundreds of other community tennis initiatives around the world.
  • Sport in the workplace: The BNP Paribas internal tournament (We Are Tennis Cup) is one of the world’s leading corporate sporting events (3,500 participants each year with 2.5 million fans worldwide).
    • In 2011, BNP Paribas created wearetennis.com – a platform dedicated entirely to tennis news, providing a constant flow of information covering players and tournaments around the world; 
    • The website and its associated social networks (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok & YouTube) underscore BNP Paribas’ commitment to the world of professional tennis.
  • Also in the US, the Bank provides ongoing support toward the heritage and history of tennis through its sponsorship of the International Tennis Hall of Fame located in Newport, Rhode Island.

About BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas is the European Union’s leading bank and key player in international banking. It operates in 63 countries and has nearly 183,000 employees, including more than 145,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Commercial, Personal Banking & Services for the Group’s commercial & personal banking and several specialised businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment & Protection Services for savings, investment and protection solutions; and Corporate & Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realise their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. In Europe, BNP Paribas has four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial & personal banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Turkey, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group’s performance and stability.

  • Since 2020, BNP Paribas has supported Canadian tennis player Félix Auger-Aliassime in the deployment of his #FAAPointsForChange humanitarian project in support of youth in Togo
  • Since its inception, BNP Paribas, has been a committed partner to #FAAPointsForChange, to support future generations, both in the world of tennis and beyond

New York, NY / Indian Wells, CA, March 10, 2025 – Since 2020, BNP Paribas has supported Félix Auger-Aliassime, a 24-year-old player ranked 18th in the world, in his commitment to building a better future for youth in the West African nation of Togo, his father’s home country. Félix Auger-Aliassime has pledged to donate $5 for each point he wins during the tournament and BNP Paribas will match it with $15 per point.

During the first five years of the program, money raised financed initiatives to improve the conditions of young people in the Kara region of Togo. The project focused on the protection of children’s rights and access to education and sport, benefiting more than 20,000 people.

At the beginning of 2025, Félix Auger-Aliassime, in collaboration with BNP Paribas, decided to enhance the program to support students who are further along in their academic careers, namely deserving students from disadvantaged rural backgrounds in their university academic journey.

Excellence scholarships will be awarded to 30 students enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program at the University of Lomé in Togo to cover their tuition and living expenses. The students will also benefit from mentoring programs and extracurricular activities, facilitating their studies and professional growth.

The main eligibility criteria for applicants will include academic merit, the student’s economic situation, their motivation to succeed, and their desire to engage and give back to their communities.

A selection committee will evaluate the applications and choose the 30 laureates after an individual interview. The scholarship will be awarded for one year and is renewable under the condition of maintaining good academic performance.

This program will be deployed with the logistical support of the King Baudouin Foundation, a public utility foundation that will collect donations and ensure their proper use by the local association “Les Salésiens Coopérateurs de Don Bosco.” Recognized in Togo since 2010, this association works for the development of children and young people in several regions of Togo. It will manage the student selection process, daily support for scholarship recipients, and the extracurricular mentoring program.

Félix Auger-Aliassime visited Togo at the end of last season to refine the details of this new program, in collaboration with BNP Paribas and various stakeholders. This year, Felix wishes more than ever to contribute to the future of young generations, especially the most disadvantaged, a commitment that echoes BNP Paribas’ corporate mission to support young generations worldwide to enable them to build a better future and live their dreams.

Félix Auger-Aliassime, tennis player ranked 18th in the world, said: “The involvement of BNP Paribas in this venture is essential. Together, we have been able to raise several hundred thousand dollars to support a cause that is close to my heart. For me, it is a great way to add meaning to my tennis successes and contribute to something close to my heart. I also hope to inspire other young people to give back, as I have been inspired by my family and other athletes.”

Vincent-Baptiste Closon, Head of Sponsoring Tennis for BNP Paribas, said: “The genesis of the project is based on our ambition at BNP Paribas to support those who want to make a difference and have a positive impact on the world. It is in this spirit that we met Félix, driven by the same desire to make a difference through his tennis career. Together, we have created a charitable initiative that goes far beyond sports. This project is part of a transmission approach: those who receive today learn to give tomorrow, creating a truly virtuous circle.”

-ends-

Press Contact:

BNP PARIBAS

Guy Taylor

Media Relations

+1 (332) 323-3704

Guild.Taylor@us.bnpparibas.com

About BNP Paribas and tennis

BNP Paribas is a major partner of world tennis, with a historic commitment that began in 1973 and applies to all levels of tennis around the world – singles, wheelchair tennis, team and family tennis – from beginners to the biggest professional tournaments.

  • Professional tennis: Official sponsor of the French Open since 1973, Sponsor of three ATP Masters 1000 tournaments (BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells, Rolex Monte Carlo Masters, Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome), the Open 13 Provence in Marseille, the Moselle Open in Metz and the BNP Paribas Nordic Open in Stockholm (ATP250), the Internationaux de Strasbourg (WTA500);
  • Wheelchair tennis: Title partner of the BNP Paribas World Team Cup; partner of the French Riviera Open, the WJP Challenge Tennis and the Swiss Open Geneva;
  • Junior and University tennis: Partner of the French Federation of University Sport and the BNP Paribas Master’U since 1993;
  • Amateur tennis: Sponsor of the BNP Paribas Family Trophy and the National Tennis Cup and partner with numerous amateur tournaments supported by the bank around the world;
  • Support for younger generations: BNP Paribas supports more than 160 young tennis and wheelchair tennis hopefuls in building their careers through its “Team BNP Paribas Jeunes Talents” programme in France (under the patronage of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in association with the FFT), the United States (with John and Patrick McEnroe), Belgium (under the patronage of Justine Henin) and Italy, Poland, Canada, Japan and Portugal. BNP Paribas has also been a partner in the selection of ball boys and girls at the French Open for 25 years.
  • Solidarity-based tennis: A driver of social projects linked to tennis alongside more than 20 national tennis federations and dozens of charities, based on a conviction that tennis is an even better sport when it is collective and geared towards young people.
    • At the initiative of the “#FAAPointsForChange” programme in partnership with young Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime and the solidarity programme “Points For Change” for the inclusion of young generations through sport;
    • Partner CityParks Tennis charity in the United States. This program in New York City provides free tennis lessons to more than 6,000 children between the ages of six and 16 within the five boroughs of New York City. The program is active in more than 39 parks across the five boroughs, including the BNP Paribas Aces Tennis Program for advanced junior players. The Bank supports hundreds of other community tennis initiatives around the world.
  • Sport in the workplace: The BNP Paribas internal tournament (We Are Tennis Cup) is one of the world’s leading corporate sporting events (3,500 participants each year with 2.5 million fans worldwide).
    • In 2011, BNP Paribas created wearetennis.com – a platform dedicated entirely to tennis news, providing a constant flow of information covering players and tournaments around the world; 
    • The website and its associated social networks (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok & YouTube) underscore BNP Paribas’ commitment to the world of professional tennis.
  • Also in the US, the Bank provides ongoing support toward the heritage and history of tennis through its sponsorship of the International Tennis Hall of Fame located in Newport, Rhode Island.

These various communications initiatives ensure that tennis is a fantastic vehicle for the brand image of BNP Paribas:

  • In 2023, BNP Paribas was considered the leading sponsor of tennis in the minds of the French (31% spontaneous recognition, rising to 48% among tennis fans). Source: CSA/2023
  • 58% of tennis fans believe that BNP Paribas’ partnership with tennis gives a better image of the brand. Source: CSA/2023
  • 7/10 is the score given to BNP Paribas by those familiar with We Are Tennis (i.e. 73% of tennis fans). This is 1.2 points more than for all French people. Source: CSA/2023

About BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas is the European Union’s leading bank and key player in international banking. It operates in 63 countries and has nearly 183,000 employees, including more than 145,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Commercial, Personal Banking & Services for the Group’s commercial & personal banking and several specialised businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment & Protection Services for savings, investment and protection solutions; and Corporate & Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realise their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. In Europe, BNP Paribas has four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial & personal banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Turkey, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group’s performance and stability.