Its governor is the chair of the Committee on Credit Institutions, which grants or withdraws banking licenses. The governor is also president of the Banking Commission, which ensures that banks adhere to banking regulations. The French government has sold its majority equity stakes in major banks and insurance companies. However, it retains ownership of the Caisse des Depots et Consignations and minority stakes in several major financial institutions, including Credit Lyonnais. Commercial banks also assist in public offerings of shares and corporate debt, and mergers, acquisitions and takeovers.
Banks offer hedging services against interest rate and currency fluctuations.
France also had 136 foreign banks with total assets of over FF1 trillion at the end of 1997, some with sizable branch networks. Foreign companies have access to all banking services. Although some subsidies are available for home mortgages and small business financing, most loans are provided at market rates. FIA-NET and the Coface Group have combined their quality labels to provide a joint guarantee which brings greater reassurance to Internet users. Enter a company name or a portion of the name.