Hello bank! is a digital and direct bank : « the first 100% digital mobile bank in Europe, from the BNP Paribas group », according to the firm. It is backed by BNP Paribas Group, a bank formed in 2000 through the merger of Banque Nationale de Paris and Paribas. BNP Paribas is seen as one of the strongest banks as it has remained profitable throughout the crises, posting a positive net result in 2008 (€3bn), in 2009 (€5.8bn), in 2010 (€7.8bn), in 2011 (€6.1bn), in 2012 (€6.6bn) and in 2013 (€4.8bn). Hello bank! was launched in Belgium and Germany on May the 16th 2013, then in France on June the 17th 2013. It became available in Italy since October the 28th 2013. Hello bank! is supported through BNL in Italy, Cortal Consors in Germany, BNP Paribas Fortis in Belgium and BNP Paribas in France.