A EUROPEAN POWERHOUSE WITH DUTCH ROOTS AND GLOBAL REACH

With its move to a new, sustainable headquarters in Zuidas, BNP Paribas is underlining its position as the leading European bank with strong Dutch roots and a global network. Under CEO Hugo Peek, the organisation continues to grow in the Netherlands as a trusted partner for complex challenges, from the energy transition to digital sovereignty . The new office is more than just a workplace, it’s an expression of BNP Paribas’ ambition for the Netherlands. “This building shows what we stand for and the future we envision.”

The firm has just relocated to Zuidas. What is your first impression?
“The move to Zuidas feels like a very natural step. We are now firmly positioned in the heart of the Dutch financial ecosystem, close to our clients, partners and the talent we need to support our continued growth. At the same time, Zuidas connects us seamlessly to other European financial hubs. That combination of strong local presence with international reach is exactly what defines us as an organisation.”

What does the building say about BNP Paribas?
“Whilst maybe just a building, this office does reflect our model. By bringing together a range of disciplines in one location, From Asset Management to Real Estate and from Wealth Management to Factor and Corporate & Institutional Banking, we can support clients with fully integrated teams. The building quite literally brings our strategy to life, as it’s premised on collaboration, openness and connectivity. It’s a place where different areas of expertise come together and reinforce each other. That helps us respond more effectively to complex client needs and puts us in a stronger position to address the major challenges of these times.”

Does having different disciplines under one roof change the way you serve clients?
“Yes, that was precisely the intention. Our clients are increasingly dealing with complex, cross-border challenges. The energy transition, shifting supply chains, digital sovereignty and geopolitical fragmentation all require European collaboration. By physically consolidating all of our local expertise, we operate as ‘One Bank’ in the Netherlands. With over 600 employees from our Amsterdam offices working together in multidisciplinary teams, we can respond quickly to our clients’ needs. Our other offices in the Netherlands remain an integral part of our operations.

You see the benefit of that collaboration most clearly where different capabilities come together. Developing future-proof office space, for example, requires more than just capital. It’s about knowing where and how to build, structuring the right financing and connecting that to investors looking for long-term, sustainable returns.”

Are you already seeing the effects of the design on the organisation?
“Absolutely, it brings people together. For instance through internal staircases connecting floors and a layout geared towards activity-based working. Employees can move around the whole building more freely and interact more easily. That has immediate effects on the organisational dynamic. Knowledge-sharing between teams and experiencing our common culture is a lot easier now.

BNP Paribas operates in 64 countries. What makes the Netherlands, and Zuidas in particular, such an important location within that network?
The Netherlands always played a key role in BNP Paribas’ international network. We have been operating here for more than 200 year and have more in common with the Dutch banks than with most international banks. A central, well-connected joint office fits that position. The Netherlands is so important because of its open economy with strong global trade links and an entrepreneurial climate. Amsterdam is a leading tech hub that draws talent from across the globe and the Zuidas perfectly complements that. Being close to Schiphol with access to a high-quality rail network with international connections makes it an ideal base for us.

Sustainability is clearly embedded in the design of this office. Why is it important for a building to express this so visibly?
“For us, sustainability is not an abstract concept. A healthy planet is the foundation of all economic activity. This building makes that tangible. The building has a fully wooden frame and makes use of biobased materials, alongside solar power and smart water solutions. Together, these elements contribute to a future-proof working environment. , But equally important is the effect on people. By making sustainability visible, employees and visitors become more aware of it. It encourages different behaviours and choices. This aligns with our role as a bank. We finance and support clients in their transition to a more sustainable economy, and we believe we should lead by example.”

BNP Paribas positions itself as a European player with local impact. Now that you’re based in the Netherlands, where do you want to be five years from now?
“Our ambition is to have further strengthened our position as the leading global corporate bank in the Netherlands. But it’s not just about scale; we want to be truly relevant to our clients, particularly in an increasingly unpredictable world. Companies are looking for stability, for a partner with a long-term perspective and a strong European network. That is the role we want to fulfil. Zuidas is instrumental as our central hub in the Netherlands. From here, we’ll continue building a bank that combines European strength with local impact. Our ambition is to be the go-to partner for Dutch clients with complex, international needs.”

Text: Romy Lange
Photography: Roxanne Wilm