French lender BNP Paribas has reduced its cost of risk in a stronger third quarter.

It said the figure was at the "low level" of EUR 668m ($784m), compared to $764m a year ago.

This represents 0.36% of loans, down 12.6%.

The reduction reflects "good control of risk at loan origination", as well as the low interest rate environment and the continued improvement in Italy as a result of the refocusing on "better" corporate clients

Revenue dropped to EUR 10.39bn