PARIS - BNP Paribas (OTC:BNPQY) Personal Finance (BNPPF) has been convicted by a Paris court today for deceptive marketing practices related to its "Helvet Immo" Swiss-franc mortgages. The financial product, which was marketed during 2008-2009, led to increased repayments for customers following the Swiss franc's surge in value after the financial crisis.
The court has imposed a fine of €187,500 on BNPPF for these practices. Moreover, the lender has been confirmed to owe approximately €130 million in damages to claimants who were misled by the marketing of these loans. These loans were initially intended for tax-free rental investments but became a financial burden for borrowers due to unforeseen currency fluctuations.
The original fine was levied on February 26, 2020, after it was found that BNPPF had concealed the risks associated with the Helvet Immo loans. These loans, amounting to 4,600 contracts, were signed during the volatile period between 2008 and 2009. The borrowers faced increased repayment amounts as the euro declined against the Swiss franc, which was not adequately communicated by BNPPF at the point of sale.
The complexity of the case, with several hundred borrowers affected and the intricate nature of individual losses, has led to the postponement of the precise compensation verdict. The Paris Court of Appeal is expected to announce the verdict in April, providing some clarity to the affected parties on the compensation they are due.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of the recent conviction of BNP Paribas Personal Finance for deceptive marketing practices, it's worth examining some key financial metrics and insights provided by InvestingPro. With a market capitalization of $71.31 billion and a P/E ratio of 5.86, BNPP appears to be trading at a low price relative to its near-term earnings growth. This is particularly interesting given the company's consistent increase in earnings per share, as highlighted by one of the InvestingPro Tips.
Another InvestingPro Tip points out that the bank has raised its dividend for three consecutive years, which signals confidence in its financial stability and commitment to returning value to shareholders. This is further corroborated by the fact that BNPP has been profitable over the last twelve months as of Q3 2023, with a reported revenue growth of 6.29% during the same period.
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