Strong revenues from corporate and commercial finance propelled BNP Paribas' corporate and investment banking profits up 25% to a record €2.4bn last year offsetting a decline in advisory and capital markets business which fell a quarter to €1.1bn.

BNP Paribas' financing business, including project and aircraft financing, more than trebled to €1.3bn in the year to December 31, helping overall corporate and investment banking division to post year-on-year gains.