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France has a strong and stable banking system that is central to the country’s economy. Due to the availability of numerous banks, it can be quite difficult to determine which banks are the best in terms of service delivery, reliability and customer satisfaction. In this article, we will unveil the 10 best banks in France, together with some information about their services, market share and customer reviews.
1. BNP Paribas
The biggest bank in France and one of the biggest in the world is BNP Paribas with its presence in more than 70 countries. They provide banking and financial services such as retail banking, corporate and investment banking, asset management and insurance. The bank has particularly received acclaim for its innovative digital banking and high standards of customer relations.
Key features of BNP Paribas:
- Global presence
- Many financial services provided
- Emphasis on the new banking technologies
- High quality service
2. Crédit Agricole
Crédit Agricole is one of the big banks in France. As a cooperative bank, it has several cooperative regional banks that offer banking and insurance services to individuals, companies, and farmers. The bank is especially famous for its social mission and its activities in the agricultural sector.
Key features of Crédit Agricole:
- Cooperative banking system
- Many affiliated regional banks
- Social responsibility
- Agribusiness
3. Société Générale
One of the biggest and the oldest banks of France, Société Générale offers a wide range of products and services, ranging from retail banking to corporate and investment banking, asset management and insurance. Their international presence makes them one of the leaders in structured finance and derivatives.
Key features of Société Générale:
- Longstanding history
- Many types of financial services
- International operations
- Experience in structured finance and derivatives.
4. Groupe BPCE
The primary operations of this company are handled through two of its main subsidiaries, Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne. Its main activities are to provide banking and insurance services to individuals, professionals and companies. Because they have a good regional coverage, they are committed to supporting local economies.
Key features of Groupe BPCE:
- Works mainly through two companies
- Banking and insurance services
- Good regional coverage
- Support of local economies.
5. Crédit Mutuel
Crédit Mutuel is another cooperative bank in France that operates through a number of regional banks. It offers a full range of banking and insurance products and services for individuals, professionals and companies with a focus on the client.
Key features of Crédit Mutuel:
- Cooperative banking system
- Regional banks
- Banking and insurance services
- The focus is on the customer.
6. Banque Postale
As a bank founded by La Poste, the French post office, Banque Postale offers a number of banking products, including checking and savings accounts, debt and insurance. The bank is best known for its simplicity and the fact that it aims to offer low-cost banking services for all.
Key features of Banque Postale:
- A bank founded by the French postal service
- Many banking products
- Accessibility
- Affordability of the banking services.
7. Natixis
Natixis is a French corporate and investment bank with a international presence that offers a variety of financial services, including corporate banking, investment banking, asset management, and insurance. The bank is known for its work in structured finance and sustainable development.
Key features of Natixis:
- Global reach
- Many financial services
- Specialist in structured finance
- Emphasis on sustainable development.
8. HSBC France
HSBC France is a bank owned by HSBC Holdings, one of the biggest banking and financial services groups in the world, and offers a full range of banking and financial services. They are well known for their global network and focus on international banking.
Key features of HSBC France:
- Affiliated with a international banking group
- Many banking and financial services
- The global network
- Practice in international banking.
9. CIC
The CIC or Crédit Industriel et Commercial is a French banking group that provides a full range of financial services, from retail banking to corporate and investment banking, asset management and insurance. CIC has a good regional coverage and is involved in supporting local businesses.
Key features of CIC:
- Many financial services
- Good regional presence
- Small and medium enterprises
- Engagement in corporate and investment banking.
10. Société Marseillaise de Crédit
Société Marseillaise de Crédit is a bank that is primarily active in the southern region of France. This regional bank offers a number of banking and financial services to clients, including individuals, professionals, and companies, and is well known for its engagement in the local economy.
Key features of Société Marseillaise de Crédit:
- A regional bank
- Many banking and financial services
- Good availability
- The support of the local economy.
