“Especially now” is the moment to make ourselves heard.
With the “Especially Now” campaign launched by BNP Paribas Netherlands in May 2026, we’re introducing a message that speaks directly to the volatile environment in which businesses operate today. Change is nothing new, but ongoing wars in the world, shocks in the oil market, shifting geopolitical dynamics, the climate and biodiversity crises, and rapid advances in technology and AI are making decision-making increasingly complex.
BNP Paribas supports the call for greater European strategic autonomy – through investment in security, sustainable energy, critical sectors, and the scaling of sustainable mobility – not just in words, but in action.
CEO of BNP Paribas Netherlands, Hugo Peek, explains how the bank is responding to these challenges and why its solid strategy, extensive international network, and deep market expertise make BNP Paribas the logical partner of choice “especially now”.
The call for greater European strategic autonomy is becoming more urgent and goes beyond defence alone. Why is this so important for Europe?
“Europe has enormous economic and financial strength, but it is not yet fully deploying that strength within its own economy. Everything is in place: capital, knowledge, strong institutions, and a long tradition of cooperation. Yet a significant share of European capital still flows to other parts of the world.
The context has fundamentally changed. Trade is under pressure, geopolitical tensions are rising, and dependencies are becoming more visible. That forces Europe to take a sharper look at itself.
It is precisely the combination of prosperity, cooperation, and social responsibility that makes Europe a stable and reliable force. If we make better use of our capital and collaboration, we can reduce dependency and strengthen our position globally.”
What role does BNP Paribas play in this?
“As Europe’s largest corporate bank, BNP Paribas offers clients a fully integrated platform for financing, investment, and services, including securities services and asset management. As a strong European alternative to US investment banks, we combine scale and expertise with a solid local presence. This allows us to help companies and institutional investors mobilise capital effectively within Europe and actively contribute to a robust and independent financial ecosystem.”
As a strong European alternative to US investment banks, we combine scale and expertise with a solid local presence.
Investment in innovation is also key to Europe’s resilience. How do you help European companies scale and innovate?
“BNP Paribas plays a key role in financing European scale-ups, which are a major driver of innovation and job creation. These companies need to grow more often into globally leading businesses. Europe has a strong foundation in industry and high-value sectors, but it still struggles to produce companies that lead on a global stage.
We also invest heavily in energy supply and infrastructure, both essential for continued economic growth. By bringing together capital and expertise, we accelerate sustainable growth and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.”
The EU’s long-term budget includes a significant increase in defence and security funding. What is BNP Paribas doing to support Europe’s resilience?
“A strong and secure Europe also requires investment in sectors such as defence and cybersecurity. BNP Paribas has a proven track record in financing the European defence sector. By the end of 2025, we had provided €26 billion in financing, an increase of €2 billion compared to 2024. Between 2022 and 2025, we supported €71 billion in defence bond issuances and acted as lead manager on a large share of equity issuances by European defence companies in 2025.
In October 2025, we also launched our first ‘EU Sovereignty Bond’, supporting aerospace, defence, infrastructure, and critical industries and technologies. Through BNP Paribas Asset Management, institutional investors can contribute to strengthening Europe’s defence industry and strategic autonomy.”
With Trump back in the White House, we are seeing sustainability agendas come under pressure at many companies. And amid geopolitical uncertainty, climate ambitions seem to be slipping down the priority list. How does BNP Paribas view this?
“BNP Paribas remains a global leader in sustainable finance. In 2024, Bloomberg recognised the bank as an international leader in its Green League Table. But ultimately, it’s not about rankings—it’s about what you actually make possible.
In the Netherlands, this is very tangible. We finance solar parks for industrial clients, help grid operators raise capital to expand the electricity network, and are involved in financing offshore wind farms. These are the investments needed to enable both the energy transition and a strong industrial base.
At the same time, sustainability remains a core part of our strategy. With our broad range of services and expertise, we continue to actively support and deliver sustainable projects. Climate change remains one of the major challenges of our time, alongside the need to reduce dependence on fossil energy from other regions.”
How does your commitment to the energy transition take shape in practice?
“More than 75% of our financing in the energy sector now goes towards low-emission energy production. Through our Low-Carbon Transition Group, we support companies at every stage of their transition. These specialised teams help organisations make their business models more sustainable and future-proof – from strategic advice to financing and execution. This is how we accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy in practice.”
Rising fuel prices are strengthening the case for electric driving. How do you support the shift to sustainable mobility?
“Passenger cars and vans account for more than 15% of CO₂ emissions in the EU. Making mobility more sustainable is therefore a key part of the broader energy transition.
Rising fuel prices are further strengthening the business case for electric vehicles. We see clients accelerating their shift to electrification, and we are scaling up our solutions accordingly.
We do this, among other things, by bringing together the strengths of different parts of the bank. BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, for example, supports companies in electrifying equipment such as construction and agricultural machinery. Arval BNP Paribas helps organisations make their mobility more sustainable by electrifying fleets and developing integrated mobility solutions that combine leasing, public transport, and shared mobility..
For clients, this means a fully integrated approach – from advice to financing vehicles and the necessary infrastructure. On the consumer side, BNP Paribas Personal Finance makes sustainable mobility accessible through digital solutions that simplify the transition.
We also actively promote sustainable mobility within our own organisation, so we are not just financing the change, but contributing to it ourselves.”
“In a fast-changing world where uncertainty is increasing, it helps to have a partner that provides direction. Especially now, that makes all the difference“
The campaign calls on businesses to choose BNP Paribas “right now”. What sets you apart in serving corporate clients in the Netherlands?
“In the Netherlands, BNP Paribas is the largest European corporate bank. Thanks to our global network and strong presence across financial markets, we offer solutions in real estate, asset management, insurance, financing, leasing, and mobility.
We combine international scale with local expertise in a way that is directly relevant to clients. We operate from a single integrated platform where financing, capital markets, and advisory come together. This makes us agile and able to act quickly when needed.
Companies today face larger investments, international expansion, and major transitions. They need a partner that not only provides capital but can also think and act across borders and sectors. For large and complex financings, we also work closely with other major Dutch banks.
In a fast-changing world where uncertainty is increasing, it helps to have a partner that provides direction. Especially now, that makes all the difference.”