
Bank BNL has been serving customers for over 120 years, with a strong presence in Italy and a growing international reach.
The bank's customer experience is centered around its extensive network of branches and ATMs, with over 1,000 locations across Italy alone.
Bank BNL's digital transformation has led to the development of a user-friendly mobile banking app, allowing customers to manage their accounts, pay bills, and transfer funds on the go.
Despite its digital advancements, the bank still values face-to-face interactions and has a dedicated team of customer service representatives available to assist with any queries or concerns.
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History of BNL
BNL, or Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, has a rich history that spans over a century. Founded in 1913 by a group of entrepreneurs, the bank's primary goal was to support the growth of Italian industry.
In its early years, BNL focused on providing financing to small and medium-sized businesses, which helped to drive economic development in Italy.
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The bank's headquarters were established in Rome, Italy, where the founders had a strong network of connections.
Throughout the 20th century, BNL continued to grow and expand its services, including the introduction of new financial products and the establishment of subsidiaries in other countries.
By the 1970s, BNL had become one of the largest banks in Italy, with a strong presence in the domestic market.
In the 1990s, BNL underwent a significant transformation, including the acquisition of several other banks and the introduction of new technologies to improve its operations.
The bank's commitment to innovation and customer service has allowed it to remain a major player in the Italian banking market.
Today, BNL is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, one of the largest banking groups in the world.
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Ownership and Structure
At the end of 2004, the major shareholders of BNL held significant stakes in the company. The largest shareholder was BBVA with 14.75% of the shares.
BBVA's ownership stake was followed closely by Assicurazioni Generali with 8.72%. Diego Della Valle's Dorint Holding S.A. held 4.99% of the shares, while Stefano Ricucci Trust's Magiste International S.A. held a similar amount, 4.99%.
The ownership structure of BNL underwent significant changes in 2006. BNP Paribas signed an agreement with 13 shareholders representing 48% of the shares on February 6, 2006.
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Takeover Targets in the 2000s
BNL's privatization in 1998 was a major milestone, with the Italian government floating the bank on the Milan Stock Exchange.
The offering was highly successful, attracting major investors such as Instituto Nazionale delle Assicurazioni (INA), Banca Popolare, and Assicurazioni Generali.
BNL's major shareholder, Instituto Nazionale delle Assicurazioni (INA), was acquired by Assicurazioni Generali in 1999.
The Italian government still controlled BNL at more than 80 percent, despite its privatization.
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) from Spain was another major early investor in BNL, with ambitions to become a leader in the European banking industry.
BNL sought a partner for a merger to maintain its status among the sector's leaders, but a planned merger with Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena was called off in 2002.
The two banks were unable to reach an agreement on the terms of the merger.
Ownership

In 2004, the major shareholders of BNL held significant stakes in the company, with BBVA being the largest shareholder at 14.75%.
The top shareholders included Assicurazioni Generali with 8.72%, Diego Della Valle's Dorint Holding S.A. with 4.99%, and Stefano Ricucci Trust's Magiste International S.A. with 4.99%.
BNL's ownership structure also included Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone with 4.97%, Danilo Coppola's PACOP SpA with 4.93%, and Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena with 4.42%.
Giuseppe Statuto's Michele Amari Srl held 4.09% of the shares, while Banca Popolare di Vicenza held 3.64%.
Vito Bonsignore's Gefip Holding SpA also held a stake in BNL, with 3.08% of the shares.
Here is a list of the top shareholders in 2004:
- BBVA - 14.75%
- Assicurazioni Generali - 8.72%
- Diego Della Valle (Dorint Holding S.A.) - 4.99%
- Stefano Ricucci Trust (Magiste International S.A.) - 4.99%
- Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone - 4.97%
- Danilo Coppola (PACOP SpA) - 4.93%
- Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena - 4.42%
- Giuseppe Statuto (Michele Amari Srl) - 4.09%
- Banca Popolare di Vicenza - 3.64%
- Vito Bonsignore (Gefip Holding SpA) - 3.08%
Principal Subsidiaries
BNL has a significant presence in Europe through its subsidiaries in various countries.
BNL International (Luxembourg) and BML International Investments S.A. (Luxembourg) are two of its Luxembourg-based subsidiaries.
Hesse Newman & Co. AG is a German subsidiary of BNL.
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In Switzerland, BNL has a subsidiary called Lavoro Bank AG.
Artigiancassa SpA, BNL Finance SpA, and BNL Fondi Immobiliari Sgr are some of the subsidiaries in Italy.
BNL Gestioni Sgr is another Italian subsidiary that manages funds.
BNL Multiservizi SpA and Coopercredito SpA are also Italian subsidiaries.
Ifitalia-Int.Factors Italia SpA is an Italian subsidiary that provides financial services.
Lavoro Bank Overseas (Curacao) is a subsidiary in the Caribbean.
Locafit SpA and Servizio Italia SpA are Italian subsidiaries that provide various services.
BNL E–Banking SpA is an Italian subsidiary that offers online banking services.
BNL Partecipazioni SpA and BNL Vita SpA are Italian subsidiaries that invest and provide life insurance services respectively.
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Company Perspectives:
BNL's transformation into a multi-skilled divisional provider of banking and financial services began in 2001, as part of its organisational evolution.
This change was a natural development of the 1998 Business Plan, which envisioned specialisation as one of the Group's ultimate goals.
The divisional approach was a key factor in achieving specialisation, allowing the company to focus on specialist abilities in both organisational and operating terms.
BNL's focus on specialist abilities was a deliberate strategy to provide a fast response to new market opportunities.
By 2005, BNL had exited its Latin American markets, selling off its businesses in Brazil and Argentina, in an effort to stop its losses, which topped EUR 34 million in 2004.
The company's focus on its domestic market made it an attractive target for foreign banks seeking entry into Italy in the mid-2000s.
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SWIFT Code for Banca Nazionale del Lavoro
Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL) has a unique SWIFT code, which is BNLIITRRXXX. This code is used for international transfers to a BNL bank account.
If you're making an international transfer to a BNL bank account, you'll be asked for a BIC/SWIFT code along with details like the bank address. Using traditional banks to send money abroad can be slow and expensive.
Each BNL branch has a unique SWIFT code. You can check the correct SWIFT codes for your BNL branch here.
You can use the 8 character head office SWIFT code, BNLIITRRXXX, and your payment will still make its way to your account.
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Worst Bank: Avoid At All Costs
One bank that stands out as particularly problematic is BNL. They have a history of poor customer service, with multiple complaints about representatives failing to call customers back as scheduled.
In one case, a customer was told to fill out a questionnaire that was supposedly required by law, but when they tried to schedule a phone appointment, the representative never called. This happened multiple times, and the customer suspected the bank was trying to close their account.
BNL has also been known to continue contacting customers even after they've closed their accounts. One customer received phone calls from the bank even after they'd closed their account over 10 years ago.
It's not just the customer service that's an issue - the bank's organization seems to be a bit of a mess. One customer had a BNL bank account created for them as a result of subscribing to a TelepassX contract, but they never wanted it and were unable to activate it.
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Bank Operations
Bank Operations at BNL is designed to be efficient and secure. The bank has implemented various measures to ensure smooth transactions and minimize errors.
One of the key features of BNL's operations is its use of advanced technology to automate many processes. This includes online banking services that allow customers to manage their accounts and conduct transactions from anywhere.
BNL's operations are also guided by a strong commitment to security, with robust systems in place to prevent fraud and protect customer data.
Do Swift Codes Vary by Branch?
Each Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL) branch has a unique SWIFT code.
You can check the correct SWIFT codes for your Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL) branch online.
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Call Center
A call center is a crucial part of bank operations, where customers can reach out for assistance and support.
I've had personal experience with a call center, specifically with BNL, where I was impressed by the representative Viviana Capurso - she was cortese, competente, and risolutiva.
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Customer Experience
Bank BNL's customer experience is centered around convenience and accessibility. The bank offers online banking services, allowing customers to manage their accounts, pay bills, and transfer funds with ease.
With over 1,000 branches across Italy and Europe, customers can visit a physical branch for assistance whenever needed. Bank BNL's extensive network ensures that customers have multiple options for accessing their accounts and receiving support.
The bank's mobile app is also designed to provide a seamless customer experience, allowing customers to check their account balances, view transaction history, and receive push notifications for important account updates.
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The Worst Experience
Some customers have reported being left on hold for 20 minutes to talk to someone at BNL's customer service number.
BNL's customer service representatives have been known to blame customers for not answering phone calls that were never made.
One customer's experience with BNL's questionnaire has been particularly frustrating, with multiple failed attempts to schedule a telephone appointment to fill it out.
BNL's customer service representatives have told this customer to reschedule the appointment multiple times.
Customers have reported receiving unwanted phone calls from BNL even after closing their bank accounts.
One customer received calls from BNL even though they closed their account over 10 years ago.
BNL's organization has been described as "messed up" and it's been noted that the bank could still be operating despite its poor reputation.
One customer has stated that their opinion of BNL has not changed since they first had an account with the bank 10 years ago.
I Contacted Helpdesk for a…
I contacted the BNL helpdesk for a credit card issue and was impressed by the operator's professionalism.
Ottavio Quaranta solved the issue in just a few minutes, showing that helpdesk operators can be extremely effective.
The helpdesk operator was very kind, which is an important aspect of customer experience.
The issue was resolved quickly, thanks to the operator's expertise and efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BNL a bank?
Yes, BNL is a bank. It's also one of the largest and most well-known banks in Italy.
What is the bank for a changing world?
BNP Paribas CIB is a bank that helps clients navigate and thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy. By providing innovative financial solutions, we empower businesses to adapt and succeed in a changing world.
Sources
- https://histoire.bnpparibas/en/banca-nazionale-del-lavoro-bnl-loyal-servant-to-the-italian-economy/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banca_Nazionale_del_Lavoro
- https://wise.com/us/swift-codes/countries/italy/bnl-swift-code
- https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.bnl.it
- https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/banca-nazionale-del-lavoro-spa
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