The Banking Environment
Economic and political environment
France has started the second millennium with the replacement of the French Franc with the Euro. France entered this process of the single currency as a founder of the EU and a main driver of Economic and Monetary Union.
The major trading partners for France are the others members of the EU, which together account for two thirds of its imports and exports. Germany is the largest.
France matches a growing services sector with a diversified industrial base and substantial agriculture resources.
Banking in general
The central bank is Banque de France (BDF).
The French banking sector can be broken down into three categories:
- mutuals
- commercial banks
- specialist companies
There are over 300 registered commercial banks in France, with a total of over 10 000 branches between them. The post office also plays an important role in the banking market with almost 17 000 branches.
The leading banks are:
- BNP Paribas
- Société Générale
- CCF Group
- Crédit Agricole Indosuez/Crédit Lyonnais
- Caisse des depots
- Natexis Banques Populaires
- Crédit Mutuel
- Crédit Industriel
Currency
Euro