Reducing the digital divide
To promote the digital inclusion of its customers, Commercial & Personal Banking in France launched workshops in around 15 cities in partnership with the WeTechCare association. Scheduled to last three years, this approach will enable customers with low levels of digital literacy(1) to learn, with digital mediators, about various topics such as making secure online payments, cybersecurity or how to get started with a mobile banking application. A platform will also offer customers a digital skills training programme, which they can follow at their own pace. In Belgium, the DigitAll coalition, composed of more than 140 public, private and social actors working for digital inclusion and chaired by BNP Paribas Fortis, decided, on the occasion of its fourth anniversary, to become a non-profit organisation. The goal? Promoting inclusion as a national priority, with concrete actions to raise awareness and support people with low levels of digital literacy.
A donation to finance the energy renovation of housing
A subsidiary of EDF and BNP Paribas Personal Finance, Domofinance is the only financial institution in France dedicated to financing energy renovation and home improvement projects. On the occasion of its twentieth anniversary, this energy transition specialist made a donation to the “Réseau Éco Habitat” charity to contribute to the financing of six energy renovation projects for homes occupied by families facing extreme poverty. The amounts allocated are mainly intended for thermal insulation and waterproofing work, as well as for the optimisation of heating and plumbing. The work will help bring these homes up to a decent and energy-efficient standard.
Facilitating access to creditor insurance for people treated for HIV
Since 1 December 2024, anyone treated for HIV has access to creditor insurance from BNP Paribas Cardif with no additional premiums or exclusions. To be eligible, the subscriber’s viral load has to be undetectable at the time they wish to enter into the contract. This inclusive approach applies to all real estate loans of up to €1 million. It aims to improve access to property for some 200,000 people living with HIV today in France and to put an end to the more onerous rates they used to face. This increased access to creditor insurance should benefit nine out of ten people treated for HIV. It goes beyond the provisions of the AERAS(1) agreement, which requires an undetectable load after one year’s treatment and a maximum period of coverage of 25 years.