3 QUESTIONS TO...
Laurent Sautré, Head of Sales and Implementation for BNP Paribas Corporate Cards
CORPORATE, TRAVEL, VIRTUAL AND MICE CARDS: A RANGE OF SOLUTIONS UNIQUE IN EUROPE
How can BNP Paribas payment solutions help companies adapt to changes in business travel?
L. S. - By listening to its customers, BNP Paribas has been able to quickly adapt its range of commercial cards by developing its solutions in line with the market. One example of this is the extension of our Virtual Card offering at European level to meet the needs of booking and paying for low-cost air tickets and hotels. By the end of 2016, our offer will include eight currencies to reduce our customers' exchange costs. We are also launching our own Visa co-branded card solution, the Carte Voyage, giving our customers a range of travel-related payment options that is unique in Europe, with Corporate, Voyage, Virtual and MICE cards.
Changes to the business card business model, centralisation of payments: how do you see the future of payment solutions?
L. S. - European regulations on interchanges have had a negative impact on the business model of all banks in Europe. Nevertheless, BNP Paribas has chosen to adapt rather than reduce its range of services, as a number of Anglo-Saxon banks have done. Through solutions tailored to the world of purchasing and travel, we support customers both with Corporate Cards, including debit of the employee account, and with centralised payment. Due to the impact of regulations, the centralisation of payments should accelerate over the next few years.
What other advantages does a bank like BNP Paribas offer?
L. S. - Our commercial cards, particularly those offering centralised payment, are available to all our French and European customers. They complement our cash management services - management of payment instruments, centralised cash management, etc. - offered to businesses. - offered to businesses.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
A leading European bank
BNP Paribas is France's market leader in commercial cards, supporting more than half of the companies in the CAC 40 index.
BNP Paribas is the only continental European bank to offer a complete range of multi-currency commercial cards meeting all the needs of private and/or public companies.
BNP Paribas has been named "Best Bank in the World" and "Best Bank in France" for 2016 by Euromoney, an internationally renowned financial publication.
A comprehensive range and essential solutions
In a context of expense monitoring and cost reduction, BNP Paribas offers secure solutions adapted to business travel payments. These payment solutions are a real advantage when negotiating terms and conditions with suppliers.
The range offered by BNP Paribas meets the needs of both large companies and SMEs, as well as those of travel agencies and hotel reservation platforms.
Technological and human expertise
BNP Paribas has set up integrated solutions with the market's leading HBTs and payment hubs, in the following areas for business or leisure travel.
Regardless of the card used, expenses are consolidated in the same database. This gives companies control, monitoring, reporting and traceability.
Finally, BNP Paribas has another major advantage, with a team of experts on hand to help companies define and implement their card projects, from the study of their needs through to the implementation of their projects. followed by the first transactions.
