France

According to a survey of around 450 small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs) by BNP Paribas Lease Group (BPLG) and Agence France-Presse (AFP), French business sentiment deteriorated in May.

The factoring divisions of French banking groups, Credit Agricole and Credit Lyonnais, have made considerably less progress in merging than their respective leasing units, according to Patrick Valroff, head of the group's specialist credit operati

Assurances Generales de France credit assurance unit Euler Hermes said sales in the first quarter fell to Ђ466.7m from Ђ469.5m a year earlier. The group's factoring business also saw sales fall in the period, dampening the overall result.

France's financial markets authority (AMF) has approved French bank Natexis Banques Populaires' public withdrawal offer for French credit insurance group Coface.

Compagnie Gйnйrale d’Affacturage (CGA), the wholly-owned factoring subsidiary of Sociйtй Gйnйrale has become the first factoring company in France to obtain ISO 9001 (2000 version) certification.

French business sentiment remained stable in March compared with a month earlier, according to a survey of around 450 small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs) by BNP Paribas Lease Group (BPLG) and Agence France-Presse (AFP).

France's bank for SMEs, Banque du Developpement des Petites et Moyens Entreprises (BDPME), registered an 8.6 per cent rise in profit in 2003, to Ђ30.2m, with revenue up by 1.6 per cent at Ђ289.2m.

Natexis Banques Populaires has reported figures, based on estimates presented yesterday to the Board of Directors, showing net banking income reaching some Ђ2,440 million in 2003.

The BNP Paribas Lease Group and l'Agence France-Presse (BPLG/AFP) indicator of sentiment in the French small- and medium-sized business (SME) sector rose 16 points to 26 in December from 10 in October, demonstrating a sharp rise in sales, profitab

Two investment companies are reported to be launching a local investment fund (fonds d'investissement de proximite or FIP).