On the 1st of September, 2009, BNP Paribas Réunion signed an important and ambitious partnership agreement with the Mission Locale of la Réunion within the framework of an “autonomy contract” system.

This system is a flagship project implemented under the Espoir Banlieues (Suburban Hope) plan. Its objective is to support young people living outside of the system, who have come up against difficulties in finding work. Currently, some 10,000 young people have registered with the Mission Locale, 900 of whom could benefit from an autonomy contract during the 2009-2010 financial year.

This agreement was prompted by the fact that at present, a significant number of these young people have no access to banking services, and are consequently hindered in their efforts to join the workforce.

Given its commitment to social issues, BNP Paribas has naturally taken a pioneering role in facilitating access to these services. To this end, BNP Paribas Réunion has put in place a solution that is in line with the expectations of its new clients, and is offering tangible financial assistance to these young people by providing a grant to the Mission Locale.