In 2012 the top 6 French banking groups generated an aggregated profit after tax of EUR 8.4 billion, sharply down, as compared with EUR 14.5 billion in 2011, owing to several exceptional items such as significant divestments from Greece. Setting exceptional items aside, Net Banking Income (NBI) was 2.4 % down and profit after tax dropped by 6.3 % in line with what was observed at foreign banking peers.