2020 Universal registration document and annual financial report - BNP PARIBAS586

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a Committed Bank: information ConCerninG the eConomiC, soCial, CiviC and environmental resPonsiBility of BnP PariBas Our civic responsibility: being a positive agent for change

7.4 Our civic responsibility: being a positive agent for change

Committed participant in society, BNP Paribas instigates and takes part in numerous initiatives to combat social exclusion and promote education and the arts. In the context of its civic responsibility, the Group uses all the available tools, as a banker, employer and philanthropist, to foster a sustainable and harmonious development of society. These actions are in line with its three commitments:

■ Commitment 7: Products and services that are widely accessible;

■ Commitment 8: Combat social exclusion and encourage respect for human rights;

■ Commitment 9: Corporate philanthropy policy focused on the arts, solidarity and the environment.

The highlights of 2020 include:

■ in the area of financial inclusion:

■ BNP Paribas was named World s Best Bank for Financial Inclusion by Euromoney, publication specialising in international finance. Through its unique model of direct financing of microfinance institutions and its ability to mobilise large investors, BNP Paribas has placed financial inclusion at the heart of its strategy , highlighted Jean-Laurent Bonnafé, Director and Chief Executive Officer of BNP Paribas,

■ in 2020, the global health crisis had a significant impact on microfinance institutions (MFIs). BNP Paribas, a committed player for more than 30 years in the sector, continued to support MFIs by restructuring financing and allocating a budget of EUR 1.2 million to eleven MFIs, which were able to support, among others, 15,000 people in need,

■ in partnership with UN Women, the Bank also developed the AgriFed (Support for Women in Agriculture and Sustainable Development) programme which promotes economic empowerment of women,

■ BNP Paribas continued its partnership with the United Nations Environment as part of the project Microfinance for Ecosystem- based Adaptation (MEbA) promoting the resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change by encouraging microfinance institutions to include biodiversity in the credit process;

■ at the same time, in order to promote social inclusion:

■ the Group has developed a banking system in France with tailored advice, loans without guarantees and mentoring to support some young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who wish to study in higher education institutions. This system is part of the actions carried out with Article 1 and the Institut de l'Engagement (i.e. the Commitment Institute), two associations of L'Ascenseur (The Elevator)(1) ,

■ French Retail Banking, alongside several companies, created the AXELLE platform dedicated to vulnerable customers experiencing financial difficulties,

■ BNP Paribas Personal Finance has implemented a specific programme to support individual customers during the health crisis, in particular by proposing maturity extensions,

■ BNP Paribas Polska has deployed a range of resources to enable customers with disabilities to access the Bank (digital tools, physical accessibility, adaptation for all types of public needs, etc.);

■ lastly, in terms of generosity:

■ the Group supported L'Ascenseur from the start of the health crisis, by making nearly a thousand computers available to young people who needed them,

■ the Rescue & Recover Fund has opened up to biodiversity, with the integration of the NGO IFAW (international fund for the protection of animals) among its partners. The year was also marked by a record in terms of donations, with more than EUR 1 million donated to its partners,

■ the BNP Paribas Foundation was deeply involved in the emergency aid system set up by the Group following the Covid-19 pandemic, first in April, with more than EUR 3 million donated to around fifteen associations and foundations, then at the end of the year with an additional grant of EUR 2 million, specifically for food aid and health in France.

(1) Unique place in Europe bringing together some twenty associations and social enterprises around a common fight: to promote access to education, employment, sport and culture for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.