{
    "title": "BNP Paribas Fortis says AI could replace work of 1,000 employees",
    "modified_at": "2026-06-01 09:16:04",
    "published_at": "2026-06-01 09:14:00",
    "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/bnp-paribas-fortis-says-ai-could-replace-work-of-1000-employees",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/TJHd",
    "culture": "en_BE",
    "language": "EN",
    "slug": "bnp-paribas-fortis-says-ai-could-replace-work-of-1000-employees",
    "body": "<p><strong>BNP Paribas Fortis, Belgium&rsquo;s largest bank, says artificial intelligence and digital technology could replace the work of around 1,000 employees over the next three years.</strong></p><p>The bank says it does not plan major job cuts, but it will hire fewer new staff than the number of employees leaving through retirement or resignation.</p><p>CEO Michael Anseeuw said the bank wants to work more efficiently between 2026 and 2028 by expanding the use of AI across its Belgian operations.</p><p>One example is the bank&rsquo;s customer service chatbot. BNP Paribas Fortis says millions of customer questions, especially about bank cards, can increasingly be handled automatically through the app instead of by call centre staff.</p><p>AI will also be used for checks on customer identities and fraud prevention. According to the bank, this could avoid the need to hire hundreds of extra workers in the coming years.</p><p>Last year, around 500 employees left BNP Paribas Fortis, while only 330 new staff were hired. The bank expects its workforce to shrink by about 100 to 150 people per year until 2028. It currently employs just over 10,000 people in Belgium.</p><blockquote><em>&ldquo;There is no plan for large-scale cuts to our workforce or branch network&rdquo;</em></blockquote><p>Anseeuw stressed that the bank will continue investing in staff training and diversity. &ldquo;There is no plan for large-scale cuts to our workforce or branch network,&rdquo; he said.</p><p>The bank also plans to outsource more work to service centres within the wider BNP Paribas group, including teams in Portugal and India.</p><p>At the same time, BNP Paribas Fortis wants to grow its business in Belgium. The bank hopes to attract 100,000 new customers each year, partly through its partnership with Bpost, Belgium&rsquo;s postal service, where basic banking services are available in post offices.</p><p>The bank is also expanding its private banking and investment services for wealthier clients and plans to launch a new digital investment platform in 2027.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><sup>BNP Paribas Fortis CEO Michael Anseeuw &copy; BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS</sup></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>",
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    "author": {
        "first_name": "Flanders",
        "last_name": "News Service"
    },
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}