bnp paribas has reported net profit above expectations for the final quarter of 2021 driven by a strong activity in domestic markets the banks net income came in at 231 billion euros 263 billion for the quarter thats above the 205 billion euros expected by analysts according to data from refinitiv the french lender also surprised to the upside with its annual figure with net income standing at 949 billion euros above the 892 billion euros forecasted for the whole of 2021 domestic markets results were up very sharply driven by increased activity the bank said in a statement jeanlaurent bonnafé the banks ceo added with a reinforced profitability in 2021 and a 10 rote return on tangible equity the groups results is the outcome of our longterm strategy and transformation bnp paribas also said it wants to achieve a return on tangible equity a measure of return for investors of more than 11 by 2025 the latest earnings release comes as markets consider the possibility of higher interest rates in europe this could support the profit margins of many european lenders which have long complained about the low interest rate environment shares of bnp paribas are up by about 46 over the last 12 months this story is being updated please check back again later for more