BNP Paribas on Tuesday sought to allay concern about its ability to weather a $9 billion settlement with US authorities, as the French government refrained from fresh objections, saying its calls on Washington against disproportionate punishment had paid off.

BNP Paribas chief financial officer Lars Machenil said France's largest listed bank by assets was "in no rush" to boost its capital cushion, even after agreeing to pay the record penalties as part of a US sanctions case.