Exactly 10 years ago, one dream died for Michel Pébereau and Baudouin Prot. On Monday, a new one began for the BNP Paribas top duo.

On March 9 1999 Mr Pébereau launched his now famous bid for both Paribas and Société Générale in what has come to be known as the great French banking war. He took control of Paribas but failed to absorb SocGen.