BNP Paribas in Switzerland: Building on 150 years of Growth

In a recent interview with Ticino Welcome, Enna Pariset, CEO and Head of Territory for BNP Paribas Group in Switzerland, shares our story of 150+ years of growth and innovation in Switzerland.

Read the article in ITALIAN

Ticino Welcome
December ’25 – February ’26

With a longstanding presence in Switzerland since 1872 and 1,200 employees, BNP Paribas (BNPP) is one of the country’s leading banks and the oldest foreign bank, working with corporate, institutional and private clients fully focused on serving the Swiss economy. BNP Paribas Group, its parent company, is the leading bank in the Eurozone. In 2024, the bank’s revenues with Swiss clients contributed over EUR 1bn to the Group, and the bank has strong growth ambitions. We spoke with Enna Pariset, CEO and Head of Territory for BNP Paribas Group in Switzerland, about the bank’s strategy, latest achievements, and the ambition for the Swiss market.

Q1. BNP Paribas has been present in Switzerland for more than 150 years. How would you describe the importance of this market for the Group today?

A: Switzerland has always been an important market for BNP Paribas. Our presence dates to 1872, when we financed key infrastructure projects such as the Gotthard and Simplon tunnels. Switzerland is a highly competitive economy with Swiss companies being very active internationally, it has a strong financial centre and remains the world’s leading wealth management hub. For us, it is a strategic market where we can superbly deliver our strengths, combining our local expertise with the Group’s global reach. We literally bring the world to Switzerland with our teams in 63 other countries, all working as one in the spirit of One Bank. We have four strong business pillars in Switzerland: Wealth Management, Corporate & Institutional Banking (CIB), Arval (vehicle leasing and mobility solutions provider), and Asset Management (with the recent acquisition of AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) on July 1, 2025). Our strength lies in creating value for our clients through long-term relationships and tailored solutions.

Q2. 2024 was an important year for BNP Paribas in Switzerland, with Swiss client revenues exceeding EUR 1bn and important gains in market share. What were the main drivers of this success?

A: Our success is driven by the diversity and strength of our Swiss franchise. On the CIB front, we are a leader in CHF-denominated bonds for both domestic and foreign issuers – corporates, financial institutions and sovereigns. This year, we already acted as Sole or Joint Bookrunner on nearly 70 transactions and have consistently been in the Top 3 banks across all CHF bonds issuances for the past 3 years in Bloomberg league tables. Two years ago, we established an Equity Capital Markets (ECM) team in Zurich and are today No.4 in ECM Dealogic league tables 2025YTD. I am very proud to mention that we acted as Joint Bookrunner on several landmark transactions on the SIX Swiss Exchange, including the CHF 1bn IPO of the Swiss Marketplace Group (SMG) this year and the CHF 2.3bn IPO of Galderma last year. Our Securities Services business accounts for 25% of all volumes on the SIX Stock Exchange and is a leading Custodian for Swiss Financial Institutions.

Our Wealth Management business has grown to CHF 25.3bn in assets under management (AuM), part of Euro 462bn AuM of the Group, at the end of 2024, reflecting strong client trust and our increased focus on the Swiss domestic market – Swiss nationals and residents. Euromoney awarded us Best International Private Bank Switzerland for two consecutive years – in 2024 and 2025.

Arval, our vehicle leasing and mobility solutions provider, has been consistently No.1 in Switzerland for Corporate clients and has reached a 25,000 cars milestone in September 2025.

Q3. BNP Paribas Group has strengthened its Asset Management business by acquiring AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) on July 1, 2025. What does this mean for you and your clients in Switzerland?

A: On the Group level, this acquisition has propelled us to the Top 3 European player with c. Euro 1,600bn in AuM and a No.1 player in Alternative Assets with Euro 300bn in AuM. We now have a fully-fledged Asset Management company in Switzerland with CHF 54bn in AuM and will extend our offer to more pension funds.

Q4. Ticino has always been an important region for BNP Paribas. How do you see its role within your Swiss strategy?

A: We have been in Lugano for over 50 years, and we moved to our new offices on Via Nassa in August 2023, underscoring our long-term commitment. Ticino is home to Swiss entrepreneurs, wealthy families, and cross-border clients from Italy seeking diversification. Our teams provide tailored advice in multiple languages and understand the specific economic, regulatory, and cultural context. Ticino represents both a growth opportunity within Switzerland and a bridge to cross-border markets. In cross-border, we can complement our presence in Ticino with BNPP’s BNL, one of the largest banks in Italy.

Q5. Beyond its strategic importance, could you tell us more about the initiatives and partnerships that illustrate your commitment to the region? A: BNP Paribas is committed to supporting Ticino’s economy and cultural life. Through the BNP Paribas Swiss Foundation, we promote local cultural, social and environmental initiatives and encourage emerging artistic talent. This year we were the main sponsor of the Cena sotto le Stelle event in Lugano featuring Seline Burn, our 2025 Young Swiss Artist. Her work was auctioned for charity and joined also our Lugano art collection. In the same spirit, BNP Paribas supports local entrepreneurship and innovation by helping clients develop sustainable projects, connect with investors, and expand internationally – reinforcing Ticino’s position as a dynamic hub for business and creativity.