Headquartered in France, BNP Paribas is one of the world's largest banking groups. Its history dates back to the formation of the Comptoir National d'Escompte de Paris (CNEP) in 1848, with the current entity formed in 2000 through the merger of Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP) and Paribas. The group's mission is to contribute to a responsible and sustainable economy by financing and advising its clients according to the highest ethical standards. It operates through three main divisions: Corporate & Institutional Banking (CIB), Investment & Protection Services (IPS), and Commercial, Personal Banking & Services (CPBS), serving individuals, businesses, and institutional clients worldwide.