French bank BNP Paribas reported it made profits of €1.3 billion in the third quarter of this year, up 44.8% over the same period last year. Turnover for the quarter totaled 10.663 billion, 40% better than for the third quarter of 2008, the bank said in a press statement. As a result, BNP Paribas generated €2.326 billion in operating income, more than twice the amount of the third quarter 2008, which was marked by the failure of Lehman Brothers, the bank said. The positive result is the second confirmation in two days that the French banking sector is emerging from the financial crisis in good health.