BNP Paribas' investment banking units weathered 2001 better than many of its competitors, with limited loan provisions and reasonable cost control.

The net banking income for its corporate and investment banking divisions rose 1.4% to €6.2bn ($5.8bn) for 2001, while gross operating income fell 2.2% to €2.5bn. The division's cost/income ratio was one of the lowest in the industry, at 59.3%, although this represented a 1.5% increase over the previous year.