Anticipating and managing
risks
The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2025 describes an increasingly fragmented world, where the acceleration of geopolitical, environmental, societal and technological risks is profoundly reshaping economic and strategic balances. While geopolitical conflicts are identified as the predominant immediate danger, the climate and ecological crisis constitutes a structural risk that requires appropriate and sustainable responses. The loss of biodiversity threatens the integrity of ecosystems, while the recurrence of natural disasters calls for an overhaul of infrastructures and economic models. In addition to these concerns, there are growing technological risks, including disinformation and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI). The report also highlights the growing interdependence between these risks, making risk management even more complex.
“The risk management culture is a differentiating factor, determining the solidity or vulnerability of banks. Even if it has been one of our major assets for a long time, it must never be taken for granted, and requires constant vigilance to ensure optimal resilience in the face of all scenarios. It must be part of our DNA, passed down from generation to generation.”
PUTTING RISK MANAGEMENT AT THE HEART OF OUR STRATEGY
At BNP Paribas, risk management is an absolute priority, embedded across all levels of the Bank. We implement a rigorous control system to anticipate and respond to current and emerging risks. Our analyses focus on the management of so-called “primary risks“ - market, credit, counterparty, liquidity and operational risks - and also on the emerging dimensions that could influence them. In this regard, BNP Paribas concurs with the conclusions of the World Economic Forum in identifying three key areas. First, growing geopolitical tensions impact global economic and financial stability. Secondly, environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are redefining the positioning of many players, including political actors, regulators and financial institutions. Lastly, technology-related threats, such as cyberattacks and disinformation, are testing our resilience. The rise of AI, notably generative AI, is fundamentally transforming banking processes and raising new challenges in terms of security and ethics. These multidimensional factors require agile, systematic and adaptive responses. We remain vigilant and take a proactive approach in order to reap the benefits that some of these factors, such as AI, can provide, while preserving the resilience of our Group and our clients.
OVER€5 trillion
The estimated amount of global value at risk due to potential cyberattacks between 2019 and 2023.
Source: The World Bank, https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/cybersecurity-trust-fund/overview
REINFORCING OUR APPROACH THROUGH STRUCTURED COLLABORATION
To meet these challenges, BNP Paribas relies on a partnership and a cross-cutting approach. Our business lines and functions play a key role in fostering a strong risk culture throughout the entire Group. In doing so, they ensure the sustainability of our activities and strengthen the relationship of trust that we maintain with our clients, our partners and all our stakeholders. Our goal is to combine rigour and innovation so as to anticipate future threats and ensure ever more robust risk management integrated across all our lines of defence.