BNP Paribas, Europe’s leading financial institution, announces today the appointment of several senior executives to its Global Markets Americas division. The appointments demonstrate the bank’s commitment to the Americas region and ambition to grow its Global Equities, Global Credit and Global Macro franchises.
Kunal Maini is appointed Co-Head of Global Macro – Americas. He will support the bank’s effort to strengthen its client-centric Global Macro business featuring a state-of-the-art digital offering and expertise across Rates, FX and Commodities. In addition, he will be responsible for globalizing our US Rates franchise by developing stronger client connectivity and product innovation.
Mr. Maini has deep experience in the global macro space, with 16 years of experience in New York and five in Tokyo. He joins BNP Paribas from Morgan Stanley, where he was Global Head of Government Bond, Inflation and E-Trading.
John Hanisch is appointed Co-Head of Secondary Credit Americas and Global Head of Securitized Products Trading. As a member of the management team overseeing the Americas credit platform, Mr. Hanisch will support the continued development of the bank’s secondary credit franchise in the region and he will direct the Securitized Products Trading franchise globally.
Mr. Hanisch joins BNP Paribas following two years on the buy-side at Hayfin Capital Management prior to which he was at Deutsche Bank for 12 years, most recently as Global Head of Securitized Products Trading.
Charlie Shah is appointed Head of IG & CDS Trading Americas, and Bo Bazylevsky is appointed Head of LatAm Flow Credit Trading. Both appointments will also support the bank’s ambition to expand its broader credit franchise in the region.
Mr. Shah has over 20 years of industry experience, most recently at RBC where he ran the US Investment Grade Trading Business. He will focus on delivering a full IG product suite across cash and derivatives to the bank’s clients.
Mr. Bazylevsky joins BNP Paribas from Stifel where he was Head of Emerging Markets. He brings over 20 years of trading experience in emerging markets fixed income and has worked at institutions like JP Morgan, Bank of America- Merrill Lynch and Bear Stearns.
Michael Rietbrock is appointed Head of Research within the bank’s Global Equities business. He will support the development of BNP Paribas Exane as a leading provider of equity research in the US. Mr. Rietbrock will help scale up Equity Research and Cash Execution in the US. These efforts, along with the bank’s strengths in prime services and equity derivatives across regions, will allow for increased strategic dialogue with clients across the bank’s Global Markets Americas division.
Mr. Rietbrock has over 30 years of experience in the equity research space. First, he performed as a top-ranked analyst, and subsequently as a research manager at Bank of America, Nomura and MoffettNathanson, LLC.
Robert McDonald is appointed Head of Strategic Equity Solutions and Equity-Linked Origination and Nadim Siddique is appointed Head of Strategic Equity Derivatives Trading within the bank’s Global Equities business. Strategic Equity Solutions and Equity-Linked Origination are key pillars of growth within Global Equities and Corporate Sales in Global Markets. As partners across sales and trading, Mr. McDonald and Mr. Siddique will structure and execute convertible transactions and equity derivative solutions, including share buyback programs, hedging and monetizing positions through margin loans, variable pre-paid forwards, and other innovative structures.
Mr. McDonald has worked in the equity capital markets and equity corporate derivatives space since 2008. Previously, he performed senior leadership roles at Mizuho, Credit Suisse and Nomura in both New York and London.
Mr. Siddique has 25 years of experience leading equity derivatives trading teams within both the sell- and buy-side institutions. Prior to joining BNP Paribas, he performed senior leadership roles at CIBC World Markets Group, Citadel, Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan.
John Gallo, Head of Global Markets Americas at BNP Paribas, said: “There is an enormous opportunity to develop our client relationships in the Americas, not only across our Global Markets platform, but also across our entire Corporate and Institutional Banking division. We are proud to welcome our new colleagues who represent our commitment to strengthen our client offering and our ambition to be the leading European bank globally.”
BNP Paribas has been present in the Americas for more than a century. It provides capital markets, securities services, financing, treasury and advisory solutions to corporates and institutional investors. As part of the bank’s Corporate and Institutional Banking division, the bank’s Global Markets Americas platform offers consistent client service and innovative solutions for investment, hedging and financing opportunities across asset classes and geographies, and research and market intelligence to help clients make strategic decisions. Global Markets Americas is a strongly integrated, digitally advanced platform including Global Equities, Global Credit and Global Macro business lines.
Press Contacts:
Robert Madden
+1 (917) 287-8501
robert.madden@us.bnpparibas.com
Guy Taylor
+1 (332) 323-3704
guild.taylor@us.bnpparibas.com
About BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas is the European Union’s leading bank and key player in international banking. It operates in 65 countries and has more than 190,000 employees, including nearly 145,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Retail Banking for the Group’s retail-banking networks and several specialized 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 realize 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 retail-banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Turkey, Eastern Europe as well as via a large network in the western part of the United States. 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.
Watch ‘Bloomberg Surveillance Simulcast’ Full Show 11/18/2022 – Bloomberg (Please see 1:42:00 time)
Jean-Yves discusses the US economy, macroeconomic drivers, client perspectives, and the Eurozone, among other topics.
Insider kicked off Climate Week NYC by naming its inaugural Climate Action 30, which identifies 30 of the top global activists, business leaders, scientists, community leaders, and others from around the world who are working toward climate and environmental solutions. Herve Duteil, Chief Sustainability Officer, Americas, was named to the list of 30 global leaders working toward climate solutions.
Watch BNP’s Fillion Says Clients are Concerned About Uncertainty – Bloomberg
Jean-Yves Fillion, BNP Paribas USA CEO, discusses the state of the US equity markets, inflationary headwinds, geopolitical uncertainty, monetary policy in relation to avoiding recession, and a slowdown in M&A with Alix Steel and Guy Johnson on “Bloomberg Markets: European Close.”
Source: Bloomberg News
• As part of BNP Paribas’ 2025 strategic plan, the Group unveils its first ‘Climate Analytics and Alignment Report’ which will steer the alignment of its portfolio with its net-zero commitment.
• The Report includes a series of financed carbon emissions intensity reduction targets for three key sectors (from 2020 baseline): power generation (a reduction of at least 30% by 2025), upstream oil and gas and refining (a reduction of at least 10% by 2025), and automotive1 (a reduction of at least 25% by 2025).
• In order to achieve its objective of reducing carbon emissions related to oil and gas, the Group will reduce by 12% its credit exposure to the upstream oil and gas industry by 2025 (from 2020 baseline). It will also reduce by 25% its credit exposure to the upstream oil industry by 2025. Thanks to the implementation of its previous commitments on unconventional oil and gas, upstream oil and gas and refining represent only 1.3% of BNP Paribas’ total credit exposure as of end of 2021.
• BNP Paribas has pledged to dedicate at least 200 billion euros to supporting large corporate clients’ transition to a low carbon economy by 2025. The Group has an intention of mobilizing by 2025 more than 350 billion euros through loans and bond issues covering environmental and social topics for corporate clients.
“Our aim is to continue to be at the forefront of combatting climate change by moving further and faster to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 °C by 2050. As the task becomes ever more urgent, we have integrated new targets in our strategic plan for 2025 to finance the energy transition. In the current geopolitical context, it is even more essential that we maintain an ambitious course towards a net-zero economy and finance the acceleration of renewable energies. Our strategy is threefold: align our portfolio with our net-zero commitment; measure and pilot our carbon-related risks; and broaden and deepen client relationships to support them as they make their low-carbon transition. This ‘Climate Analytics and Alignment Report’ is a main first step in taking new commitments within the Net-Zero Banking Alliance. We will extend this work to support our clients’ transition across seven other carbonintensive sectors by 2024.” said Jean-Laurent Bonnafé, Director and Chief Executive Officer, BNP Paribas.
As part of BNP Paribas’ ‘Climate Analytics and Alignment Report’, net-zero targets have been determined using International Energy Agency (IEA) scenarios and sector-wide initiatives such as the PACTA methodology and the framework provided by the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, joined by the Group in April 2021. The power, oil and gas and automotive sectors, that account for 7% of the Group’s financing as of end of 2021, are key for the transition to a carbon neutral economy. According to the World Resources Institute, the energy sector (power generation and fossil fuel) represents about 75% of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions of the industry worldwide.
Power generation
2025 carbon emissions intensity reduction target of its portfolio = at least -30% versus 2020
• BNP Paribas’ portfolio alignment measurement of the power generation sector focuses on Scope 1 CO2 emissions of power generation activity, as it is where most emissions take place.
• This 30% carbon emissions intensity reduction target versus 2020 goes well beyond the 2025 intensities derived from the IEA NZE 2050.
• The Group aims to significantly reduce the financing of CO2 producing energy, in favour of financing the massive development in low carbon energy production. Its ambition is to reach less than 5% of coal in the portfolio capacity mix (from 10% as of end of 2020) by 2025 and more than 66% of renewable sources in the portfolio capacity mix (from 57% as of end of 2020), exceeding the 2025 ambition of NZE 2050 scenario.
• The Group has now committed to reach 30 billion euros of financing for renewable energy projects by 2025 (from 18.6 billion euros as of end of 2021).
• Within its Low-Carbon Transition Group, BNP Paribas has developed transversal expertise on transition technologies and notably Green Hydrogen.
Upstream oil and gas and refining
2025 carbon emissions intensity reduction target of its portfolio = at least -10% versus 2020
• The alignment measurement of BNP Paribas oil and gas portfolio covers Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions.
• In May 2021, BNP Paribas announced its ambition to reduce its credit exposure to the upstream oil and gas activities by 10% by 2025. The Group is strengthening this objective by setting two enhanced targets for its credit exposure to the sector: a 12% reduction of its credit exposure to the upstream oil and gas industry by 2025 versus 2020, and also a 25% reduction to the upstream oil industry by 2025 versus 2020. This commitment shows a higher level of ambition than the IEA NZE 2050 based scenario. Thanks to the implementation of its strong previous commitments on unconventional oil and gas, upstream oil and gas and refining represent 1.3% of BNP Paribas’ total credit exposure as of end of 2021.
• The Group has decided to strengthen its unconventional oil and gas sectorial policy (dated 2017) for companies that do not have strong public commitment and transition strategies compatible with 1.5°C scenario. In 2022, the Group will no longer finance or invest in companies with more than 10% of their activities in tar sands and shale oil and gas. The Group will no longer finance any oil and gas projects and related infrastructure in the Arctic and in the Amazon regions.
o The Group is strengthening the definition of the Arctic Region to adopt the one of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP), which is the broadest. Norwegian operated areas are to be excluded from this definition since Norway has developed the most constraining environmental and operational laws, regulations and monitoring processes in the world.
o BNP Paribas will no longer finance or invest in companies deriving more than 10% of their activities from the Arctic Region.
o BNP Paribas will no longer finance or invest in companies producing out of oil and gas reserves in the Amazon as well as in the ones developing related infrastructures.
Automotive
2025 carbon emissions intensity reduction target of its portfolio = at least -25% versus 2020
• BNP Paribas’ portfolio alignment measurement of the Automotive sector focuses on Scope 3 CO2 emissions of auto manufacturers Light-Duty Vehicles production.
• BNP Paribas will continue to strengthen its financing through the issuance of sustainable bonds and loans to accelerate the electric vehicle production.
• BNP Paribas expects the share of electric vehicles2 in its portfolio to reach more than 25% by 2025 (from 4% in 2020).
• Arval BNP Paribas is also committed to supporting its customers in making their mobility more sustainable by setting new target of reaching 700,000 electrified vehicles3 by 2025. BNP Paribas’ 2025 targets cover financings directly provided and committed, and will gradually expand to some capital market activities. The Group will continue to work towards its net-zero goal by updating its methodology and metrics towards these sectors and others in its portfolio as new information becomes available.
Alongside the development of the Low-Carbon Transition Group, which will bring together 250professionals, BNP Paribas has pledged to dedicate at least 200 billion euros to support the transition of its corporate clients to a low carbon economy by 2025.
Please find the ‘Climate Analytics and Alignment Report’ on BNP Paribas’ website:
https://group.bnpparibas/uploads/file/bnpp_climateanalytics_alignmentreport_final.pdf
About BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas is the European Union’s leading bank and key player in international banking. It operates in 65
countries and has nearly 190,000 employees, including nearly 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, Eastern Europe as well as via a large network in the western part of the United States. 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.
New York, January 7, 2021
BNP Paribas, a premier global bank, announces today it has appointed the Quantitative Investment Strategies group of Credit Suisse Asset Management (CSAM QIS) to serve as the allocation agent for the CSAM QIS Dynamic Multi-Factor Diversified Strategy (the “DMD7”) index.
The DMD7 index seeks to provide diversified exposures across a range of mutually complementary systematic investment indices offered by BNP Paribas. It offers investors simple access to a portfolio diversifier, in a synthetic format (unfunded) that aims to generate attractive performance while being broadly uncorrelated with stocks and bonds.
As a leader in the derivatives market, offering efficient trading and execution as well as high quality robust indices, BNP Paribas sponsors and calculates the DMD7 in accordance with its strong governance framework. CSAM QIS brings decades of experience designing and managing systematic investment strategies. CSAM QIS oversees the analysis and selection of BNP Paribas’ underlying index components on behalf of DMD7, and actively manages DMD7’s index component allocations and risk exposures.
Yung-Shin Kung, Head and CIO of CSAM QIS commented, “We are thrilled to collaborate with BNP Paribas in developing diversification strategies. Simplifying access to unfunded solutions offering transparency, liquidity and cost efficiency is increasingly important in today’s environment.”
“We’re very happy to be partnering with Credit Suisse on a key development goal for our QIS platform,” added Alexandre Billot, Quantitative Strategies & Solutions Sales, BNP Paribas. “As we continue to develop innovative and performing risk premia strategies in each asset class, covering various trading styles and objectives, we see a clear added-value in working closely with an expert team such as CSAM QIS to select the appropriate components and actively rebalance the portfolio. By combining our expertise, we expect the BNPXDMD7 to offer our clients and the market unique absolute returns.”
About BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas is a leading bank in Europe with an international reach. It has a presence in 71 countries, with approximately 199,000 employees, of which more than 151,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main activities: Domestic Markets and International Financial Services (whose retail-banking networks and financial services are covered by Retail Banking & Services) and Corporate & Institutional Banking, which serves two client franchises: corporate clients and institutional investors. The Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realize their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance.
In Europe, the Group has four domestic markets (Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg) and BNP Paribas Personal Finance is the European leader in consumer lending.
BNP Paribas is rolling out its integrated retail-banking model in Mediterranean countries, in Turkey, in Eastern Europe and a large network in the western part of the United States. In its Corporate & Institutional Banking and International Financial Services activities, BNP Paribas also enjoys top positions in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific.
About BNP Paribas in the USA
BNP Paribas has built a strong and diversified presence in the United States to support its client base. The bank employs close to 14,000 people and has had a presence in the USA since the late 1800s. Bank of the West serves over 2 million individuals and small & businesses through a network of around 600 branches and business centers. Large corporate and institutional clients are serviced by BNP Paribas’ Corporate & Institutional Banking franchise that has a presence in the main US cities, in addition to a global reach through a network of offices in EMEA and APAC. The bank also offers asset management services through BNP Paribas Asset Management as well as Real Estate and Fleet Services through partnerships.
For more information please see www.bnpp-v2b-deployment.beapi.space/usa_en/.
Important Legal Information
”Credit Suisse” and “the Credit Suisse logo” are service marks of Credit Suisse Group AG or one of its affiliates (collectively, “Credit Suisse”). Credit Suisse has no relationship to the BNP Paribas Group, other than the provision of index allocation services with respect to the CSAM QIS Dynamic Multi-Factor Diversified Strategy and the licensing of its service marks for use in connection with the “CSAM QIS Dynamic Multi-Factor Diversified Strategy”. BNP Paribas is the index sponsor and BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC is the index calculation agent with respect to the CSAM QIS Dynamic Multi-Factor Diversified Strategy. BNP Paribas is solely responsible for the issuance and sale of Products (as defined below) related to the BNP Paribas Index.
“The CSAM QIS Dynamic Multi-Factor Diversified Strategy or any securities, investment funds, over-the-counter derivatives, products or other investment products linked to or referencing the CSAM QIS Dynamic Multi-Factor Diversified Strategy (“Products”) are not in any way sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by Credit Suisse and Credit Suisse does not make any warranty or representation whatsoever, expressly or impliedly, either as to the results to be obtained from the use of the CSAM QIS Dynamic Multi-Factor Diversified Strategy (“the Index”), the figure or level at which the said Index stands at any particular time on any particular day or otherwise, or the advisability of or results to be obtained by investing in or trading any Products. Credit Suisse shall not be liable for the results obtained by investing in or trading the Products. The Index is compiled, maintained and calculated by the BNP Paribas Group to who Credit Suisse provides index allocation services. However, Credit Suisse shall not be liable (whether in negligence or otherwise) to any person for any error or omission in the Index or in the calculation of the Index and Credit Suisse shall not be under any obligation to advise any person of any errors or omissions therein.”
Media Contacts:
Guy Taylor
+1-332-323-3704
guild.taylor@us.bnpparibas.com
Keely Gispan
+1-332-323-3705
keely.gispan@us.bnpparibas.com
INDIAN WELLS, Calif., August 18, 2020 – BNP Paribas and subsidiary Bank of the West, global leaders in supporting both amateur and professional tennis, have awarded the fifth annual BNP Paribas Open Scholarships to Palm Springs High School students Ryan Romero, Reese Buchanan, Lillian Barranco-Ramirez and Emunah Daffon. Although the 2020 BNP Paribas Open was not held, the scholarships were still awarded to the deserving winners virtually. Each student received a $15,000 college grant to assist them in their academic pursuits during the 2020-2021 school year.
“BNP Paribas is very happy to present these four outstanding students with scholarships,” said Jean-Yves Fillion, CEO of BNP Paribas USA. “Ryan, Reese, Lillian and Emunah are tremendous young men and women who have made incredible contributions to their schools, communities and families. We are proud to support them in the next phase of their lives as they embark upon what are sure to be bright futures.”
“During these challenging times, we are pleased to recognize and honor these individuals for their tremendous achievements and their continued focus and drive,” said Nandita Bakhshi, President and Chief Executive Officer at Bank of the West. “The BNP Paribas Open Scholarship illustrates our continued commitment to our communities and will enable these students to pursue their dreams and open up a world of possibilities, both in and out of the classroom. We look forward to following their journeys.”
Ryan excels not only in the classroom, but also in extracurricular activities such as varsity tennis and basketball. He volunteers his time in physical therapy sessions to help others and plans to use this scholarship to pursue his goal of attending medical school and becoming a surgeon. Ryan will attend the University of California San Diego this fall.
Reese was an integral part of the Palm Springs High School community, participating in sports such as varsity tennis, soccer and cross-country, as well as serving as the Vice President of the school’s Garden Club and Historian of the Rotary Club. Reese plans to pursue a Biomedical Engineering degree in college to provide for his family and improve the livelihood of those closest to him. He will attend the University of California, Santa Barbara beginning in August.
Lillian immersed herself in both sports and academics while at Palm Springs High School, participating in varsity tennis and soccer while simultaneously volunteering at organizations involved in youth football and little league baseball. She will begin her college education this August at Cal State Long Beach, where all classes have been moved online in light of the ongoing pandemic. Lillian plans to obtain her bachelor’s degree in biology before attending medical school to become a doctor.
As a three-year member of the Palm Springs High School varsity tennis team, Emunah has been a shining example of a hardworking and committed student-athlete. She will embark on her collegiate career this August at College of the Desert, where she will also continue her career in tennis. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Emunah will begin her education in a virtual environment, while her freshman year tennis season will now take place in the spring of 2021. During this period of uncertainty, Emunah has been focusing on improving her health and fitness, and enjoying the extended time with her family.
Emmunah Daffon will attend College of the Desert this fall.
Reese Buchanan plans to attend the University of California Santa Barbara this fall.
Lillian Barranco-Ramirez will attend Cal State Long Beach this fall.
Ryan Romero will attend the University of California San Diego this fall.
About the BNP Paribas Open
The BNP Paribas Open is the largest ATP Tour and WTA combined two-week event in the world and is held annually at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The tournament offers more than $17 million in prize money and is the only event to provide the Hawk-Eye line challenge system on all match courts, including qualifying rounds. For more information, visit www.bnpparibasopen.com.
About BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas is a leading bank in Europe with an international reach. It has a presence in 71 countries, with approximately 199,000 employees, of which more than 151,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main activities: Domestic Markets and International Financial Services (whose retail-banking networks and financial services are covered by Retail Banking & Services) and Corporate & Institutional Banking, which serves two client franchises: corporate clients and institutional investors. The Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realize their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance.
In Europe, the Group has four domestic markets (Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg) and BNP Paribas Personal Finance is the European leader in consumer lending. BNP Paribas is rolling out its integrated retail-banking model in Mediterranean countries, in Turkey, in Eastern Europe and a large network in the western part of the United States. In its Corporate & Institutional Banking and International Financial Services activities, BNP Paribas also enjoys top positions in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific.
About Bank of the West
At Bank of the West, we know money deposited in a bank has the power to finance positive change. So we are taking action to ensure our activities help protect the planet, improve people’s lives, and strengthen communities. We are redefining banking for a better future by focusing on areas where we believe we can have a real impact: supporting energy transition, helping enable women entrepreneurs, and financing innovative start-ups. As the bank for a changing world, Bank of the West is committed to sustainable finance along with our parent company BNP Paribas. Through Digital Channels and offices across the U.S., Bank of the West provides financial tools and resources to more than 2 million individuals, families and businesses.
© 2020 Bank of the West. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Doing business in South Dakota as Bank of the West California.
Media Contacts:
Keely Gispan
BNP Paribas
332-323-3705
Keely.gispan@us.bnpparibas.com
Emily Iwan
Bank of the West
415-432-3696
media.relations@bankofthewest.com
Performance targets include increase in percentage of management positions held by women by end of 2021.
MONTREAL, Feb. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BNP Paribas, a premier global banking partner, today announced that it has closed a sustainability-linked syndicated credit facility with WSP Global Inc. (TSX: WSP) (“WSP”), one of the world’s leading professional services firms. BNP Paribas served as Sole Sustainability Coordinator, working with WSP to integrate the sustainability targets into its credit facility.
The announcement marks WSP as the first professional services firm in the Americas to secure sustainability-linked terms for its syndicated credit facility. WSP signed an amendment to its existing credit facility to include financing terms that reduce or increase the borrowing costs on the lending facility as sustainability targets are met or missed.
The amendment introduces an annual pricing adjustment based on the achievement of ambitious targets related to sustainability. With sustainability core to its business strategy, this step reflects WSP’s goal to create compelling business value through advancing its vision to have a long-lasting positive impact on society.
“We are proud to be challenging the status quo by formally linking sustainability and financing. By doing so, we are further strengthening our commitment to deliver on the sustainability ambitions outlined in our 2019-2021 Global Strategic Plan. Moreover, we are also reflecting the collective sentiment of our 50,000 employees, for whom sustainability is an increasingly important issue,” said Bruno Roy, Chief Financial Officer of WSP.
The amendment applies to a $1,200 USD million syndicated revolving credit facility with terms of up to four years tied to three sustainability performance targets that highlight and measure WSP’s continued advancement of its sustainability initiatives:
- Reduction in market-based greenhouse emissions across our global operations from 2018 to 2021;
- Increased percentage of “Green” Revenues (revenues from services having a positive impact on environment) by the end of 2021;
- Increase in the percentage of management positions held by women by the end of 2021.
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, National Bank Financial and BMO Capital Markets are Joint Bookrunners and Co-Lead Arrangers on the credit facility.
“We are excited to partner with WSP Global, one of the world’s leading engineering and design services firms, to support their sustainability ambitions. The drive in the corporate sector to integrate sustainability and ESG into their corporate strategies has created a growing demand for sustainable products and trusted advisors. BNP Paribas is proud to be a leader in the sustainability-linked loan market and Sustainable Finance more broadly. We are committed to helping our clients align their financing needs to meet their sustainability objectives,” said Sonja Volpe, Principal Officer and CEO BNP Paribas in Canada.
In January, BNP Paribas announced that it has closed a bi-lateral, incentive-linked corporate revolving credit facility with Brookfield Renewable Partners in Canada, one of the first SLLs offered in Canada and the first for BNP Paribas in Canada.
About BNP Paribas in Canada
For over 55 years, BNP Paribas in Canada has been helping Canadian businesses and institutions grow by offering them a full range of specialized financial services and investment products. With over 950 employees in offices in Montreal and Toronto, BNP Paribas in Canada combines a clear understanding of the Canadian landscape with global expertise.
About BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas is a leading bank in Europe with international reach. It is present in 72 countries, with more than 202,000 employees, of whom more than 154,000 are in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three major business areas: Domestic Markets and International Financial Services, whose retail banking and financial services networks are grouped into Retail Banking & Services, and Corporate & Institutional Banking, which focuses on corporate and institutional clients. The Group supports all of its customers (individuals, associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, large businesses and institutions) in carrying out their projects by offering them financing, investment, savings and protection services. In Europe, the Group has four domestic markets (Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg) and BNP Paribas Personal Finance is the leading specialist in retail financing in Europe. BNP Paribas is also developing its integrated retail banking model in the Mediterranean basin countries, Turkey and Eastern Europe and has a significant network in the West of the United States. In its Corporate & Institutional Banking and International Financial Services businesses, BNP Paribas enjoys leadership in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas, as well as a solid and fast growing business in Asia Pacific.
About WSP
As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, WSP provides engineering and design services to clients in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Environment, Power & Energy, Resources and Industry sectors, as well as offering strategic advisory services. Our experts include engineers, advisors, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors and environmental specialists, as well as other design, program and construction management professionals. With approximately 50,000 talented people globally, we are uniquely positioned to deliver successful and sustainable projects, wherever our clients need us. wsp.com
Press Contact
Keely Gispan – 212-340-5867 – keely.gispan@us.bnpparibas.com
Appoints JOSÉ PLACIDO CEO of CIB Americas and SANDRINE FERDANE Global Head of FIC.
José Placido will become CEO of CIB Americas. He will start on June 1, 2020 and will be based in New York City reporting jointly to Yann Gérardin, Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking, and Jean-Yves Fillion, CEO BNP Paribas USA. Bob Hawley current CEO of CIB Americas, will transition to the role of Vice Chairman of CIB Americas. José is currently Global Head of Financial Institutions Coverage (FIC) and Global Head of Client Development for Securities Services. He has successfully expanded the bank’s relationships with many of its largest institutional clients. Prior to joining BNP Paribas in 2014, he was CEO of RBC Investor Services and RBC Dexia Investor Services based in Toronto.
Sandrine Ferdane will become Global Head of FIC, succeeding José Placido. She will start on April 1, 2020, and will be based in Paris reporting to Yann Gérardin. Sandrine has been Country Head of Brazil and CEO of Banco BNP Paribas Brazil since 2014, and was instrumental in transforming and enhancing the bank’s Brazilian platform. Prior to assuming this role, Sandrine held a variety of senior banker and financing roles.
About BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas is a leading bank in Europe with an international reach. It has a presence in 72 countries, with more than 202,000 employees, of which more than 154,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main activities: Domestic Markets and International Financial Services (whose retail-banking networks and financial services are covered by Retail Banking & Services) and Corporate & Institutional Banking, which serves two client franchises: corporate clients and institutional investors. The Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realize their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. In Europe, the Group has four domestic markets (Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg) and BNP Paribas Personal Finance is the European leader in consumer lending. BNP Paribas is rolling out its integrated retail-banking model in Mediterranean countries, in Turkey, in Eastern Europe and a large network in the western part of the United States. In its Corporate & Institutional Banking and International Financial Services activities, BNP Paribas also enjoys top positions in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific.
Press contacts
Group – Sandrine Romano – +33 (0) 6 71 18 23 05 – sandrine.romano@bnpparibas.com
Americas – Guild Taylor – +1 332 323 3704 – guild.taylor@us.bnpparibas.com