The students from 106 different countries will compete in teams of four for six weeks to complete three tasks in the virtual world of "Universe-City".

Each mission relates to tennis and one of BNP's business lines - retail banking, asset management and corporate and investment banking.

For retail banking, students will have to help the "Universe-City" tennis federation develop a tournament. For asset management and services, they will have to manage the financial assets of a tennis champion. For corporate and investment banking, the students will have to help a tennis racquet manufacturer grow his business through an acquisition.

The five best teams will compete in a final in Paris, with a jury of experts deciding the winner. The first team will win EUR10,000, with the second getting EUR2600 and the third placed group receiving EUR1600. All finalists will also be given tickets to tennis matches.

BNP says the game is designed to give students around the world an understanding of its business and attract potential employees.

Separately, BNP has launched a Web site, called forachangingworld, dedicated to its corporate social responsibility initiatives.

The blog covers the bank's work in microcredit, education, medical research, culture, environmental issues and support for disadvantaged neighborhoods and includes articles, feature reports, editorials, videos, interviews, debates and chats with visitors to the site.

Jean Clamon, MD in charge of corporate social and environmental responsibility, BNP Paribas, says: "In the present crisis, the bank is more determined than ever to affirm its desire of becoming the bank for the real economy, but also a responsible partner and interdependent with the world in which it evolves."