BNP Paribas supports businesses through individualized relationships and solutions. This approach is proving beneficial in these times of health crisis. An encounter with Olivier Magniez, Head of the BNP Paribas Antilles-Guiana Business Center.
ONAIR: How did you react when shelter-at-home was announced?
Olivier Magniez: Our first concern was to ensure continuity of banking services, essential to economic activity: paying salaries, cashing, securing financial flows facing higher cyber risks in times of crisis … We had to guarantee the smooth running of our clients’ businesses.
OA: Did you anticipate the economic crisis caused by the health crisis?
OM: Very early. At the same time as establishing continuity, we realized there was a need: contacting each of our clients to discuss the epidemic’s consequences on their businesses. Our Account Managers were quickly trained to deal with the issues and solutions specific to these times: postponing loan installments, implementing the State Guaranteed Loan (PGE), adapting decision-making processes, digitalizing actions, etc. I want to pay tribute to the exceptional work carried out by the business center teams who were on board during the crisis from the very beginning.
ONAIR: How did they get through it?
OM: Our teams were fast, committed and in touch. They personalized their services and knew how to adapt to each situation. Our staff have shown great responsiveness at all times. We felt proud to perform our job while understanding precisely our important role: contributing to making the economy work and helping each of our clients to pass this milestone.
OA: How are your corporate clients doing?
OM: Situations vary widely from one sector to another. Some have quickly recovered; others such as tourism and hospitality are more at half speed. In some cases, the crisis has generated opportunities: we then support investments so that companies can respond to them. We sometimes have to support a change in the economic model: working capitalrequirement, need for digitalization … Our teams hear everyone’s situation and provide appropriate responses.
OA: What makes your approach stand out?
OM: The human part, contact with the Business Manager who, depending on each situation, can activate all of the expertise of the BNP Paribas network. From managing flows to financing client accounts, the advisor, by listening, can offer suitable products. Discussing with the client, checking if their activity is energized or has slowed down, if they need to review their model or adapt … this exchange is at the heart of our analyzing and identifying the best possible service.
