BNP Paribas, the banking giant of Europe, has made a comeback to Miami after leaving the American Riviera over two decades ago. Settling in again at 801 Brickell Avenue, the French financial heavyweight opened its new Miami branch on Wednesday, purportedly dropping over $3 million into this office.

The Paris-based bank has pounced on the opportunity to scoop up to 50 new professionals in Miami over the next couple of years, according to Miami Today. The Brickell address will house BNP Paribas Securities Corp., focusing its lens on a cocktail of credit, equities, and macro-global markets.

Matthew O'Connor, the branch manager ready to steer the Miami helm, had this to say: "It expands our global markets business in the US, which is a main goal of our growth plans." 

BNP’s office ribbon-cutting was a bonanza, complete with backslapping and speech-making by officials and a dose of local art flair. The bank unveiled artwork from Najja Moon, a local talent, linking arms with the Art Basel Miami Beach art fair. Business Wire reported José Placido, CEO of BNP Paribas USA, affirming:  “Today’s Miami office opening expands our business in the US, notably our global markets business, and supports our global growth ambitions. Adding Miami as a key location for our corporate and institutional banking business will be an important part in getting closer to our many clients in the South Florida area and servicing their needs more efficiently.”

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava piped up heralding BNP Paribas’ decision expecting the partnership with Beacon Council to mine Miami’s talent and biz ecosystems. Directing the light on a Franco-Floridian economic waltz, Consul General of France in Miami, Raphaël Trapp, celebrated the Miami office.

Just earlier this year, as mentioned in a CNN Business article retrieved by Miami Today, climate activists have knocked on the BNP's door, with lawsuits claiming the bank's oil and gas industry loans are at odds with legal environmental obligations.