
The Soc Gen Scandal and Regulatory Issues are a dark chapter in the history of the financial industry.
Soc Gen, a French bank, was fined $1.3 billion by regulators in 2017 for manipulating the London interbank offered rate (Libor) and other benchmark rates.
The scandal involved Soc Gen traders colluding with other banks to manipulate the rates, which had a significant impact on the global economy.
The Libor scandal led to widespread criticism of the lack of regulation and oversight in the financial industry.
Regulatory bodies, such as the US Federal Reserve and the UK Financial Conduct Authority, were criticized for failing to prevent the scandal.
Their inaction was seen as a major factor in allowing the manipulation to continue for so long.
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Company Overview
Soc Gen, also known as Societe Generale, is a French multinational banking and financial services company.
Founded in 1869, Soc Gen has a rich history spanning over 150 years. Its headquarters are located in Paris, France.
With a strong presence in Europe and beyond, Soc Gen offers a wide range of financial services, including corporate and investment banking, retail banking, and asset management.
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Group Companies
Société Générale SA has a diverse range of group companies that operate in various sectors. The company's group companies are based in France and provide a wide range of services.
One of the group companies is Audrey Finance 32901 SNC, a French company that provides equipment rental services. It was founded in 2005 and is based in Puteaux, France.
Sogefontenay SAS is another group company that provides legal services. The company is based in Paris, France and was founded in 1991. Laurent Delecourt has been the CEO of the company since 2018.
Société Immobilière du 29 BD Haussmann SAS is a real estate company that engages in the rental of land and other real estate properties. The company was founded in 1989 and is led by CEO Veronique Blanchin.
Here are some of the group companies listed:
- Audrey Finance 32901 SNC - Finance/Rental/Leasing
- Sogefontenay SAS - Miscellaneous Commercial Services
- SG European Mortgage Investissements - Financial Conglomerates
Leadership
The leadership of the company has a rich history, with many notable individuals playing a crucial role in shaping its direction. Eugène Schneider was the first chairman, serving from 1864 to 1869.
Some notable chairmen include Guillaume Denière, who held the position from 1869 to 1886, and Edward-Charles Blount, who served from 1886 to 1901.
The company has also had several CEOs who went on to become chairmen, such as Maurice Lorain and Jacques Ferronnière. Maurice Lorain served as CEO from 1944 to 1958 and later became chairman from 1958 to 1967.
Here's a list of the chairmen and CEOs of the company:
- Eugène Schneider, chairman 1864–1869
- Guillaume Denière [fr], chairman 1869–1886
- Edward-Charles Blount, chairman 1886–1901
- Jean Hély d'Oissel [fr], chairman 1902–1915
- André Homberg [fr], chairman 1922–1932
- Joseph Simon, chairman 1932–1940
- Henri Ardant [fr], CEO 1934-1944 and chairman 1941–1944
- Pierre de Moüy, chairman 1944–1958
- Maurice Lorain, CEO 1944-1958 and chairman 1958–1967
- Jacques Ferronnière [fr], CEO 1958-1967 and chairman 1967–1972
- Maurice Lauré, CEO 1967-1982 and chairman 1973–1982
- Jacques Mayoux, chairman & CEO 1982–1986
- Marc Viénot, chairman & CEO 1986–1997
- Daniel Bouton [fr], chairman 1997-2009 and CEO 1997–2008
- Frédéric Oudéa, chairman 2009-2015 and CEO 2008–2023
- Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, chairman since 2015
- Slawomir Krupa, CEO 2023-
19th Century
In the 19th century, our company's roots date back to a small workshop where skilled craftsmen produced high-quality goods. The workshop was founded by a visionary entrepreneur who saw an opportunity to create innovative products that would meet the growing demands of the industrial revolution.
Our company's early success can be attributed to its focus on quality, which was evident in the attention to detail and craftsmanship that went into each product. This commitment to quality helped us build a loyal customer base and establish a reputation for excellence.
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The 19th century was a time of significant growth and expansion for our company, with the introduction of new technologies and manufacturing processes that allowed us to increase production and meet the demands of a rapidly growing market. We were able to adapt and innovate, staying ahead of the competition and solidifying our position as a leader in our industry.
Commercial Activity
Société Générale's commercial activity is built around three main pillars. These pillars are at the heart of the bank's relationship banking model.
Retail Banking in France is a significant part of Société Générale's business, with the bank operating under the Société Générale, Crédit du Nord, and Boursorama brands. International Banking and Financial Services (IBFS) is another key area, offering a range of services to clients across the globe. Corporate and Investment Banking (SG CIB) provides investment banking and fixed income services, as well as equity and consulting activities.
Specialised Financial Services & Insurance, and Private Banking, Global Investment Management & Services are also key areas of focus for Société Générale's commercial activity.
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HOLDINGS
As part of Société Générale SA's commercial activity, the bank holds significant stakes in various companies.
KOMERCNÍ BANKA is one of the notable holdings, with a 60.35% stake. This valuation amounts to $4,217,823,400.
AYVENS is another significant holding, with a 52.59% stake valued at $3,180,092,200.
BRD - GROUPE SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE S.A. is also a notable holding, with a 60.17% stake valued at $1,587,269,133.
Here's a breakdown of the bank's holdings:
Société Générale SA's holdings reveal a diverse portfolio of investments across various sectors.
Commercial Activity
Société Générale's commercial activity is a key part of its business, with three main pillars: Retail Banking in France, International Banking and Financial Services, and Corporate and Investment Banking.
The bank's Retail Banking in France includes Société Générale, Crédit du Nord, and Boursorama, offering a range of services to customers.
International Banking and Financial Services is another important area, with activities including financial services, insurance, and asset management.
Corporate and Investment Banking is a critical part of Société Générale's business, offering investment banking, fixed income, structured financing, debt and forex activities, as well as equity and consulting activities.
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The bank's specialized financial services include insurance, private banking, and global investment management and services.
Société Générale's commercial activity is a significant contributor to its revenue, with the bank reporting sales of €6.9 billion in French Retail Banking, Private Banking and Insurance in 2023, and €7.27 billion in 2024.
Here's a breakdown of the bank's sales by activity:
Société Générale's commercial activity is not limited to Europe, with the bank operating in several other regions, including the Americas, Africa, and Asia/Oceania.
Kerviel Incident
The Kerviel Incident was a major scandal in the world of Soc Gen. In 2008, a young trader named Jerome Kerviel was caught making unauthorized trades on behalf of the bank, resulting in a loss of approximately €4.9 billion.
This incident highlighted the risks of unchecked trading activity and the importance of robust risk management systems.
As a result of the scandal, Soc Gen was forced to write off the losses and Kerviel was fired and later convicted of breach of trust and unauthorized trading.
The Incident
On January 26, 2008, Jerome Kerviel, a junior trader at Societe Generale, made a series of unauthorized trades that would expose the bank's massive derivatives positions and lead to a loss of €4.9 billion.
Kerviel had been working at Societe Generale for three years and was responsible for managing the bank's European equity derivatives business.
He used a combination of fake accounts and fake trades to conceal his actions, but his scheme was eventually discovered by the bank's compliance team.
Kerviel had been able to avoid detection for so long because he was able to exploit a weakness in the bank's internal controls.
He had also been able to manipulate the bank's risk management systems to hide the true extent of his trading activities.
Kerviel's actions were discovered when the bank's systems flagged a suspicious trade, and an investigation was launched to uncover the source of the discrepancy.
The investigation revealed that Kerviel had been making unauthorized trades for several months, using a combination of fake accounts and fake trades to conceal his actions.
Kerviel's scheme was eventually uncovered, and he was arrested on February 2, 2008, and charged with breach of trust and unauthorized trading.
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Jérôme Kerviel's Employment History
Jérôme Kerviel joined Société Générale in the summer of 2000, working in its compliance department.
He was later promoted to the bank's Delta One products team in Paris, where he worked as a junior trader.
In this role, Kerviel was exposed to various financial products, including program trading, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), swaps, index, and quantitative trading.
His experience in the Delta One business would later play a significant role in the events surrounding the Kerviel incident.
Regulatory Issues
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plays a crucial role in regulating the sale of structured notes, including those with a social security component.
The SEC requires issuers of structured notes to disclose key terms and risks to investors, including the potential for losses due to market volatility.
Structured notes with a social security component must also comply with the SEC's rules regarding the disclosure of underlying securities and their associated risks.
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Other Banks
As we explore the world of regulatory issues, it's essential to take a closer look at the performance of various banks. JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. has seen a 5-day change of -7.33%, which is a significant drop.
The banking sector is known for its volatility, and even the big players like JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. can experience fluctuations. In fact, their 1-year change is a whopping +41.14%.
One of the most notable trends in the banking sector is the shift towards growth. Even BANK OF CHINA LIMITED, which has a market capitalization of $205B, has seen a 1-year change of +41.53%.
Let's take a look at the performance of some of the major banks:
The weighted average by market capitalization shows a 5-day change of -2.90%, which is a significant drop.
Allegations of Fraud and Legal Consequences
Allegations of fraud can have severe consequences, including fines and imprisonment.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has the authority to investigate and prosecute cases of securities fraud.
Fraudulent activities can also lead to civil lawsuits, resulting in financial penalties and reputational damage.
In some cases, individuals may face criminal charges, such as wire fraud or mail fraud, which can carry significant prison sentences.
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The SEC has imposed fines of up to $1 million on individuals and $10 million on companies for violating securities laws.
Companies found guilty of securities fraud may also face delisting from stock exchanges, making it difficult to raise capital in the future.
The consequences of fraud can be severe, and it's essential for companies to implement robust internal controls to prevent such incidents.
U.S. Sanctions
U.S. sanctions can be a serious issue for financial institutions. In November 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced a settlement with Société Générale S.A. for $53,966,916.05.
Société Générale S.A. was found to have processed transactions that removed references to OFAC-sanctioned parties. This highlights the importance of accurate and transparent financial reporting.
The settlement was a significant one, with OFAC investigating Société Générale S.A.'s practices. This shows that regulatory bodies are taking steps to ensure compliance with U.S. sanctions.
Here are some key points about the settlement:
The investigation into Société Générale S.A. was a result of their processing of transactions to or through the United States or U.S. financial institutions. This shows the importance of adhering to U.S. sanctions regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is soc gen a good company?
Société Générale is considered a good company with 74% of employees recommending it to friends, but its pros and cons vary across work-life balance, culture, and career opportunities. Overall, employees rate it 3.8 out of 5, indicating a decent work experience.
Is SocGen an investment bank?
Yes, Societe Generale offers investment banking services with worldwide expertise. With over 150 years of experience, we provide global finance and markets solutions.
Sources
- https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/SOC-GEN-8357803/company/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9_G%C3%A9n%C3%A9rale
- https://www.fx-markets.com/trading/7949449/socgen-makes-americas-fx-push-with-string-of-new-hires
- https://thehedgefundjournal.com/societe-generale-prime-services/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9_G%C3%A9n%C3%A9rale_trading_loss
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