French Banking Federation

The Fédération bancaire française (FBF), or French Banking Federation, is the professional body for the banking industry in France. It represents more than 320 commercial, cooperative and mutual banks operating in the country, including approximately 115 foreign banks with branches or subsidiaries in France. Its membership therefore spans the principal forms of banking organization active in the French market, as well as the central bodies of cooperative and mutual banking groups and the French Bankers Association. The FBF acts as a collective representative rather than as a bank, financial intermediary or consumer-facing banking brand. Its role is to articulate the banking sector's positions and proposals to French and European public authorities, supervisory bodies and regulators. It addresses matters affecting banking and financial services, including business and finance policy, prudential requirements, payment systems, legal and tax rules, investment banking, capital markets, retail banking and direct banking. The federation also develops professional standards, good-practice guidance and recommendations for its members. Its work is organized through three principal areas. The Banking and Financial Activities and Research department provides technical expertise and supports commissions and committees dealing with retail and direct banking, investment banking and capital markets, risk control and capital adequacy, payment instruments and systems, and legal and tax questions. The department also engages with French and European authorities on regulatory and policy matters. The Information and External Relations department manages public affairs, media and stakeholder relations, regional committee activity, and communications aimed at consumers, young people and teachers. The European and International Affairs department, operating from Paris and Brussels, follows European Union policymaking, maintains relations with European and international banking organizations, and handles issues affecting foreign banks operating in France. The FBF also functions as an information and coordination platform for its members. It monitors political, economic and social developments that may affect banking, informs member institutions about relevant changes, and presents the industry's experience and analysis to policymakers. Through its professional standards, public communications and technical committees, it seeks to support a coherent banking-sector position while contributing to discussions on the role of banks in the wider economy and society. The organization is led by a chairman and a chief executive. Daniel Baal has served as chairman since September 2025, while Maya Atig has been chief executive since March 2020. The federation remains an active industry association headquartered in Paris, with a European dimension through its Brussels presence and its engagement with EU institutions.

The Fédération bancaire française is the professional organization representing banks active in France. Its membership encompasses commercial, cooperative and mutual institutions, together with foreign banks established in France through branches or subsidiaries. Eligible French-authorized credit institutions and branches of credit institutions based in the European Economic Area may join the federation. Central bodies of cooperative and mutual banking groups and the French Bankers Association are also included within its membership structure. The FBF's institutional role is to provide a common voice for the banking sector in dealings with government departments, regulators and other public authorities. Rather than conducting banking activities itself, it consolidates member views on policy, regulation and market development, and submits positions and proposals on business and financial matters. Its remit covers both French and European policymaking, while its international work connects the French banking sector with global industry organizations and debates. The federation's activities combine advocacy, technical analysis, professional coordination and public information. It issues professional standards, recommendations and guidance intended to promote consistent practices among member institutions. It also makes sector expertise available to members and keeps them informed about political, economic, social and regulatory developments that may affect their operations. The organization is structured around three main departments. Banking and Financial Activities and Research supports commissions and committees focused on retail and direct banking, investment banking and capital markets, risk management and capital adequacy, payment systems and instruments, and legal and tax matters. It also works with French and European authorities on banking and financial regulation. Information and External Relations manages public affairs, media contacts, consumer communications and outreach to young people and teachers, while coordinating the federation's regional committees. European and International Affairs operates from Paris and Brussels, follows EU institutions and policy, maintains relationships with European banking associations and international bodies, and deals with issues specifically affecting foreign banks in France. Over time, this structure has enabled the FBF to act as an interface between a diverse banking membership and public decision-makers. Its agenda reflects the breadth of the sector, ranging from retail banking and payments to capital markets, prudential rules and taxation. The federation also presents the contribution of banking to society and seeks to inform the public about financial services. As of the current reference material, Daniel Baal is chairman from September 2025 and Maya Atig is chief executive from March 2020. The FBF is headquartered in Paris and maintains a distinct European presence through its Brussels activities.

• 2025

  Daniel Baal becomes chairman

  [1]Fédération Bancaire Françaiseen.wikipedia.org

  Daniel Baal became chairman of the federation in September 2025.

• 2020

  Maya Atig becomes chief executive

  [1]Fédération Bancaire Françaiseen.wikipedia.org

  Maya Atig began serving as chief executive of the French Banking Federation in March 2020.

National banking-industry association and policy representative

• Industry advocacy

  Banking and financial policy representation

  The FBF represents member banks in discussions with French, European and international authorities. It develops sector positions and proposals on banking, finance, business conditions and regulation, helping communicate the industry's technical and operational perspective to policymakers and regulators.

• Professional guidance

  Professional standards and recommendations

  The federation issues professional standards, recommendations and best-practice material for its members. These materials cover areas such as banking activities, payments, risk management, capital adequacy, legal matters and taxation, and are intended to support consistent and informed practices across a diverse membership.

• Research and technical services

  Banking research and technical committees

  Through its Banking and Financial Activities and Research department, the FBF provides analysis and committee-based expertise across retail banking, direct banking, investment banking, capital markets, payment systems, risk control and prudential requirements. The work supports members in understanding and responding to changes in the operating environment.

• Public affairs and education

  Public information and external relations

  The FBF communicates with public officials, media, consumers, young people and teachers about banking and financial services. Its external-relations activities also monitor political, economic and social developments and coordinate the federation's regional committees.

1. 1Fédération Bancaire Françaiseen.wikipedia.org
2. 2French Banking Federation official websitefbf.fr