2020 Universal registration document and annual financial report - BNP PARIBAS542

7 a Committed Bank: information ConCerninG the eConomiC, soCial, CiviC and environmental resPonsiBility of BnP PariBas

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In 2020, the Group was also very active in terms of ethical and sustainable financing of the economy:

■ BNP Paribas has been appointed World s Best Bank for Financial Inclusion by Euromoney, which highlighted in particular its commitment to microfinance, as well as the system implemented through Nickel, which has enabled more than 1.9 million(1) accounts to be opened in France by the end of 2020. Nickel now operates in Spain with the aim of reaching 3,000 points of sale and 700,000 customers by the end of 2024;

■ BNP Paribas support for Social Enterprises (financing, investments on its own behalf and on behalf of third parties) has exceeded EUR 2 billion. Key achievements in this area include the Bank s structuring and launch of its first Social Impact Bond (SIB) in Belgium, bringing the number of SIBs (co-)structured by BNP Paribas to ten;

■ in addition, in 2020 the Group won the call for tenders to support the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the design of a Development Impact Bond (DIB) in Zambia. The first of its kind, this DIB aims to help small-scale tobacco growers make the transition to crops that fight malnutrition and deforestation, while improving the health and working conditions of farmers.

Lastly, in addition to the system implemented in the context of the pandemic, the year was marked for the Group s Human Resources by:

■ the appointment, on 1 November 2020, of Sofia Merlo, as new Director of Human Resources and member of the Executive Committee, replacing Yves Martrenchar;

■ the extension of the signature of the #JamaisSansElles Charter to the entire G100(2) the Group;

■ The declaration of 2 million skills by employees, thus making it possible to better anticipate training needs in a context of profound transformation of the banking sector.

(1) Since its creation.

(2) Group of the 100 employees, executive managers or executives with the greatest responsibilities, in the Company worldwide.