BNP Paribas appoints new Asia Pacific head

12-year banking veteran Eric Reynaud will also be the Chief Executive Officer for Corporate and Investment Banking in the region.

In a statement, the bank said Raynaud’s appointment “is an integral part of BNP Paribas’ robust growth strategy for the Asia Pacific region.”

“[The development] underscores the Bank’s commitment to grow its franchise here in APAC including to capitalise on the opportunities created by the high- growth markets of China and India [and] has come at an opportune time when the Bank isrolling out its Asia growth plan which includes an ambitious target to more than double the region’s revenues within the next three years,” BNP Paribas said.

“Asia Pacific is a priority market for BNP Paribas where we are already experiencing substantial growth in our Corporate Investment Banking and Investment Solutions businesses. Eric’s appointment bears testament to our Group’s commitment for thisregion.” said Baudouin Prot, Chief Executive Officer, BNP Paribas Group.

Reynaud has spent over 12 years in Asia over the course of his career, during which he was based either in Hong Kong or Singapore. His most recent Asian-based position was as Regional Head of Fixed Income and Treasury for BNP Paribas between 1997 and 2002.

He subsequently moved back to Europe and became a memberof BNP Paribas Corporate and Investment Banking’s Executive Committee, taking up senior management positions including, Head of Structured Finance and Head of Client Coverage.

In May 2009 he was appointed Executive Board Member of BNP Paribas Fortis in addition to a role of Corporate and Investment Banking coordinator for the Asia PacificRegion. During his 18 month tenure at BNP Paribas Fortis, Eric strongly contributed to the integration process of Fortis Banque SA/NV and BNP Paribas.

“With his extensive international experience and in-depth knowledge of the APACmarkets, his record of success in managing the businesses and his proven leadership, Eric is ideally positioned to help Corporate and Investment Banking capitalize on themultiple opportunities in both the mature and high-growth markets in the region.” said Alain Papiasse, head of BNP Paribas Corporate and Investment Banking.

Reynaud said that aside from developing Corporate and Investment Banking activities, part of his objectives are supporting the growth of BNP Paribas' Investment Solutions businesses in the region – such as Wealth Management, Asset Management, Insurance, Retail Brokerage and Global Securities Services, and exploring ways to grow the bank's Retail Banking business.