BNP Paribas is a European leader in global banking and financial services and one of the six strongest banks in the world (Rated AA by Standard & Poor’s i.e. 3rd rating on a scale of 22). Present across Europe through all its business lines, the Group has four domestic retail banking markets in France, Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg. It has one of the largest international networks with operations in 84 countries and 202,500 employees, including 159,600 in Europe, 15,000 in North America and 11,100 in Asia. (30/09/2010) BNP Paribas has key positions in its three core businesses: