OREANDA-NEWS. On October 07, 2008 BNP Paribas announced the launch of Ace Manager, the first banking adventure game based on real-life scenarios, reported the press-centre of BNP Paribas.

This original and innovative initiative, aimed at business school and university students across 26 countries* on 5 continents, is part of the group's strategy for boosting brand awareness of BNP Paribas as one of the leading employers of students all over the world, and increasing the group's appeal towards the young.

BNP Paribas is one of the world's leading banking groups with a presence in more than 85 countries. Over 60% of its employees and customers are outside its original market, France. The group recruits all over the world highly diverse profiles: commercial bankers, business bankers, asset managers, computer analysts, experts etc. It offers international career opportunities to its worldwide employees, thus developing staff diversity.

BNP Paribas has recruited around 24 000 people in 2007. At the end of June 2008, 13 000 people have already been recruited.

To raise its brand awareness and attractiveness in the best universities and business schools across the globe, BNP Paribas plans to capitalise on its existing partnerships with the tennis world (thanks to 35 years of worldwide sponsorship: Roland Garros, Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, Internazionali BNL d'Italia…) as well as its powerful recruitment capacity and outstanding career development opportunities.

Ace Manager has been designed in collaboration with BNP Paribas bankers to give students an understanding of the group's three core businesses: Retail Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Asset Management & Services.

3 challenges inspired by real-life scenarios based on the banking business and the tennis world will test the aptitude of participants for various banking professions. They will also be required to demonstrate their commitment to the core values of BNP Paribas: responsiveness, creativity, ambition and commitment.

The bank will invite the best 5 teams to Paris next April 2009, to face a new challenge in the grand final. This international competition will be held in English and a panel of experts will judge the final challenge which will involve a practical scenario that is directly relevant to BNP Paribas.

Students can register from November 17th 2008 on the website dedicated to this competition: acemanager.bnpparibas.com. The online phase of the competition will run during 6 weeks, from February 4th to March 18th 2009.

BNP Paribas works closely with TBWA\Corporate on this global worldwide project.

Details of the competition can be viewed at acemanager.bnpparibas.com

*The 26 countries are: Algeria, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, USA.