BNP Paribas is simplifying the structure of its corporate and investment banking division with the creation of a new corporates and financial institutions business line.

The new business line will integrate client coverage by the bank's 15 European senior bankers and removes the distinction between the financial institution group and the corporate banking business lines. The senior bankers will continue to report to Thierry Varene, global head of corporate finance. Eric Lombard, formerly head of the financial institutions group, and Jean-Pierre Bernard, formerly in charge of corporate banking, have been appointed as global head and deputy head of corporates and financial institutions.