ANZ have announced an expansion of its international network with the opening of a branch in Paris to provide wholesale banking services to French multinational companies doing business in Asia Pacific. Located in the 8th arrondissement, the new branch builds on ANZ’s existing European presence in London and Frankfurt, bringing its international network to 34 markets. It follows the granting of a banking licence last month by the French Regulator, L’Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et De Résolution (ACPR).
ANZ CEO of International and Institutional Banking Andrew Géczy said: “Given France’s strong historical, cultural and commercial ties with much of Asia, the establishment of a Paris branch is a logical next step in the development of our super regional strategy.” “France is not only one of the world’s major economies, it is home to many of the world’s largest multi-national companies looking to expand and grow their businesses in Asia Pacific.
Already France’s combined trade with developing parts of Asia is around US$90 billion and this is expected to rise as Asia’s middle-class continues to grow,” Mr Géczy said. Jean Barbizet has been appointed CEO of ANZ France effective immediately. He joins ANZ from Barclays Group where he was responsible for relationships with large corporates, multinational corporations and financial institutions.
Prior to this, Mr Barbizet was CEO of Barclays Capital S.A. (1999) and Managing Director of the Investment Banking Division until 2012. Commenting on the appointment Mr Géczy said: “Jean is an experienced French banker with significant international and local experience. I’m pleased we will have the benefit of him supporting our customers looking to do business in Asia while also leading the continued development of our Paris branch.”
