BNP Paribas Posts Fastest Revenue Growth in a Decade as Q2 Profit Jumps 33%

BNP Paribas, France's largest bank, delivered its strongest quarterly performance in years, with group revenue rising about 12% year-on-year, the fastest pace in a decade, and net profit climbing roughly a third to around €3 billion in the second quarter. The result was amplified by an €858 million one-off capital gain from a transaction, but even excluding that, adjusted earnings per share grew about 19%. Operating income increased around 16%, and the bank's Common Equity Tier 1 ratio, a key measure of financial strength, reached 13%, hitting a target it had previously expected to achieve only by the end of 2027, a full 18 months ahead of plan. Management said the milestone paves the way for accelerated shareholder returns and announced an interim dividend of €3.23 per share, equivalent to half of first-half earnings, while signalling it could distribute excess capital above its 13% floor through additional buybacks. Growth was broad-based across corporate and investment banking, commercial banking and its insurance and wealth businesses. The cost of risk remained stable at 39 basis points, within guidance, despite an added geopolitical provision.