More than 200 bank branches affected during the violence of October 17, according to the FBF

After the astonishment, the countdown. More than 200 bank branches were the target, to varying degrees, of acts of vandalism on the sidelines of weekend protests in France, according to figures given this Tuesday by the French Banking Federation (FBF). The six major banking groups - BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, BPCE (bringing together the Banques Populaires and the Caisses d'Epargne), Crédit Mutuel and Banque Postale - are concerned.

French banks “deplore the deterioration of their work tools in several territories”, underlined the professional federation in a press release. For example, a fire broke out on Saturday at the entrance to a BNP Paribas agency in Quimper, Brittany, on the sidelines of the October 17 mobilizations against the high cost of living. Another hit the same day on the ground floor of the new headquarters of fintech Qonto, located in the center of Paris. “We strongly condemn the acts of vandalism committed in our new offices, during the demonstrations, as well as any form of violence,” reacted the company.

2000 to 3000 businesses affected

French banking establishments also say they are “fully mobilized to respond in a personalized way to the needs of their customers affected since Saturday”, in particular by suspending maturities or advances, according to the FBF press release. The number of bank branches in France stood at nearly 33,000 at the end of December 2025, according to public data from the European Central Bank (ECB).

Urban violence affected “between 2 and 3,000 businesses” in France this weekend, Commerce Minister Serge Papin said on Tuesday, particularly among major retail brands. For example, stores were looted in the Place de la République district of Paris.