BNP and Paribas yesterday turned their attention to the details of how to merge the two banks after the biggest takeover battle in French history, although BNP stressed it still wanted a three-way link-up including Societe Generale.

Although BNP and Paribas have begun initial exchanges, BNP said the real business of integrating the two will have to wait until regulators decide on the final outcome of the bitter battle next week.