
The Societe Generale Group has a diverse business portfolio that spans across various sectors, including retail banking, corporate and investment banking, and asset management.
The group's retail banking operations are focused on providing a wide range of financial services to individual customers, including savings accounts, loans, and credit cards.
Societe Generale's corporate and investment banking division provides financial solutions to corporate clients, including mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt capital markets, and transaction banking.
The group's asset management division offers a range of investment solutions to institutional and individual clients, including equity, fixed income, and alternative investments.
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Our Identity
Societe Generale is a top-tier European bank with a rich history, serving 25 million clients in 65 countries.
The bank has a long history of supporting economic development, with nearly 160 years of experience under its belt.
Societe Generale has a diverse range of businesses, including retail banking, private banking, insurance, and more.
The bank's three main business areas are French Retail, Global Banking and Investor Solutions, and International Retail, Mobility & Leasing Services.
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Here are the three complementary sets of businesses that Societe Generale runs:
- French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance
- Global Banking and Investor Solutions
- International Retail, Mobility & Leasing Services
These businesses work together to provide a wide range of value-added advisory and financial solutions to clients.
Societe Generale's core values are team spirit, innovation, responsibility, and commitment, which are shared by all employees.
The bank's values are central to its vision of a relationship-focused bank committed to serving its customers.
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Corporate Social Responsibility
Societe Generale Group recognizes that economic development can't be achieved without environmental and social progress.
The Group believes it's their responsibility to suggest new, virtuous models that encourage positive transformations of the world.
Economic development is seen as a two-way street, where environmental and social progress go hand in hand.
The Group plays a leading role in helping build greener and more inclusive development models, enabling the emergence of new drivers of sustainable growth.
Societe Generale Group's corporate purpose is to build a better and sustainable future through responsible and innovative financial solutions.
The Group is aware of their responsibility to serve the economy and promote development, incorporating sustainable development considerations into their long-term strategy and day-to-day operations.
Societe Generale Group's commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility is at the heart of their strategy, driving positive transformations of the world.
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Business Operations
Societe Generale Group operates in over 70 countries, with a presence in all regions of the world.
The group's business operations are organized into three main business lines: Retail Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Global Transaction Banking.
Societe Generale's Retail Banking division provides a wide range of financial services to individuals, including personal loans, credit cards, and savings accounts.
The group's Corporate and Investment Banking division offers a variety of services to corporate and institutional clients, including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and asset management.
At the Heart of Strategy
At the heart of Societe Generale's strategy is a commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility. This means the company believes economic development can't happen without considering the environment and society.
The group has a leading role to play in creating greener and more inclusive development models. Their goal is to help build a better and sustainable future through responsible and innovative financial solutions.
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Societe Generale serves 25 million clients in over 65 countries worldwide. They have been supporting the development of their economies for nearly 160 years, providing a wide range of value-added advisory and financial solutions.
The company runs three complementary businesses, each embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) offerings for all clients. These businesses include French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance, Global Banking and Investor Solutions, and International Retail, Mobility & Leasing Services.
Here are the three pillars of Societe Generale's relationship banking model:
Societe Generale's commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility is at the heart of their strategy, and it's clear that they're dedicated to making a positive impact on the world.
21st Century
In the 21st century, businesses have had to adapt to changing regulations and laws.
The Autorité de la concurrence, a French government department, fined eleven banks a total of 384,900,000 Euros in 2010 for colluding to charge unjustified fees on check processing.
Businesses need to be aware of these types of regulations to avoid fines and maintain a good reputation.
The Autorité de la concurrence specifically targeted banks for charging extra fees during the transition from paper check transfer to electronic transfer, known as "Exchanges Check-Image".
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January 2008 Trading Loss Trial

In January 2008, a major trading loss trial took place. This event had a significant impact on the company's reputation and operations.
The trial was related to a trading loss of $6.2 billion, which was one of the largest in history at the time. This loss was attributed to a combination of factors, including complex financial instruments and inadequate risk management.
The company's CEO was called to testify during the trial, and the event received widespread media attention. The trial lasted for several weeks and resulted in significant changes to the company's risk management policies and procedures.
The company's trading practices were heavily scrutinized, and the event led to increased regulatory oversight and stricter guidelines for trading activities.
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US Mortgage-Backed Securities
Société Générale agreed to pay $122 million to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in February 2014 for misleading them in the purchase of mortgage-backed securities.
This settlement highlights the importance of transparency in business operations, especially when it comes to complex financial transactions.
In January 2017, the bank agreed to pay $50 million to settle a claim by the American government for fraudulent concealment of residential mortgage-backed securities quality.
The fact that Société Générale had to pay such a significant amount to resolve these issues shows that honesty and integrity are non-negotiable in business.
A $1.5 billion lawsuit was filed against Société Générale in March 2014 by the Libyan Investment Authority, alleging that the bank engaged in corrupt practices.
This case demonstrates the potential risks and consequences of unethical business practices, both financially and reputationally.
History
The Societe Generale Group has a long history of leadership in financial savings products in France.
The Group's Asset Management and Private Banking activities have been a key part of its success.
In 1999, its subsidiary, Societe Generale Asset Management, pursued a strategy of developing both its mutual fund management business in France and its activities aimed at major institutional investors at an international level.
Societe Generale Asset Management took a decisive step in establishing its international presence with the launch of Societe Generale AM UK in London and the acquisition of Yamaichi in Japan.
The Group has a worldwide presence in private banking activities.
After a period of crisis resulting from the revelation of the Kerviel fraud and then from the eruption of the global financial crisis, the bank appeared to have put things behind it in 2010.
Leadership
The Societe Generale Group has had a long and storied history of leadership, with a diverse range of individuals at the helm.
Eugène Schneider was the first chairman of the company, serving from 1864 to 1869. He was a pioneer in the banking industry and laid the foundation for the group's future success.
Guillaume Denière took over as chairman in 1869 and held the position for 17 years, until 1886. During his tenure, the company continued to grow and expand its operations.
Edward-Charles Blount was the chairman from 1886 to 1901, marking the beginning of a new era for the company. He played a crucial role in shaping the group's strategy and direction.
Here is a list of some of the key leaders in Societe Generale's history:
- Eugène Schneider, chairman 1864–1869
- Guillaume Denière, chairman 1869–1886
- Edward-Charles Blount, chairman 1886–1901
- Jean Hély d'Oissel, chairman 1902–1915
- André Homberg, chairman 1922–1932
- Joseph Simon, chairman 1932–1940
- Henri Ardant, CEO 1934-1944 and chairman 1941–1944
- Pierre de Moüy, chairman 1944–1958
- Maurice Lorain, CEO 1944-1958 and chairman 1958–1967
- Jacques Ferronnière, 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, 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-
The company has continued to evolve and grow, with a new generation of leaders taking the reins.
Controversies and Scandals
Societe Generale Group has faced its share of controversies and scandals over the years.
In 2018, the company agreed to a $53,966,916.05 settlement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to settle potential civil liability for apparent violations of U.S. sanctions.
This incident involved Societe Generale's processing of transactions that failed to include references to OFAC-sanctioned parties, highlighting the importance of compliance with international regulations.
The company has a complex history, having been established in 1864, and has been involved in various high-profile transactions and partnerships, including those with other major financial institutions.
Here are some notable companies that have been involved in similar controversies:
- BNP Paribas
- Crédit Agricole
- Groupe BPCE
- Inter-Alpha Group of Banks
Panama Papers
The Panama Papers scandal revealed some shocking information about Société Générale. In 2016, the bank was among the 10 banks that asked for the most offshore shell companies via the Mossack Fonseca firm.
Société Générale's headquarters were searched by the French tax police on April 5, 2016, due to its links with the creation of 979 offshore companies.
CEO Frédéric Oudéa claimed the bank withdrew from countries on the OECD's grey list of tax havens, including Panama, back in 2012.
U.S. Sanctions
In November 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced a $53,966,916.05 settlement with Société Générale S.A.
The settlement resolves OFAC's investigation into Société Générale S.A.'s processing of transactions to or through the United States or U.S. financial institutions.
Société Générale S.A. was found to have removed, omitted, obscured, or otherwise failed to include references to OFAC-sanctioned parties in the information sent to U.S. financial institutions involved in the transactions.

This is a serious matter, and it's clear that the bank took steps to rectify the situation.
The bank in question is a French bank, and it's listed on the CAC 40, a major stock market index in France.
Here are some of the banks that were also involved in the investigation:
- BNP Paribas
- Crédit Agricole
- Groupe BPCE
- Inter-Alpha Group of Banks
These banks are all significant players in the global financial industry, and it's worth noting that Société Générale S.A. is a privatized company of France.
Sponsorship and Corporate Affairs
Société Générale's head office is located in the Tours Société Générale in La Défense, a business district in Nanterre, west of Paris. This move happened in June 1995 from their former head office along Boulevard Haussmann in Paris.
The company's head office has around 7,000 employees. The former head office still serves as the company's registered office.
In 2015, Société Générale received a rating from Standard Ethics Aei to include it in the Standard Ethics French Index.
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Sponsorship
The Group has a long-term active and generally very discreet support policy. Its sponsorship of rugby is well-known.
The Group sponsors rugby, but that's not all - it also supports music and contemporary art. This diverse approach to sponsorship shows the Group's commitment to various fields.
The Group is less known for its support in areas like disabled sport, where it's an official partner of the Fédération Française Handisport. This partnership highlights the Group's dedication to inclusivity.
The Group's sponsorship efforts also extend to corporate citizenship, professional integration, and helping disadvantaged children. These initiatives demonstrate the Group's social responsibility.
Corporate Affairs
Société Générale's head office is located in the Tours Société Générale in the business district of La Défense in the city of Nanterre, west of Paris.
The company moved its head office there in June 1995 from the former head office along Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris.
The head office has 7,000 employees.
The former head office remains as the company's registered office.
In 2015, Société Générale received a rating from Standard Ethics Aei to be included in its Standard Ethics French Index.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Societe Generale do?
Societe Generale is a leading financial services group that supports millions of clients worldwide with a wide range of banking and financial services. With a global presence in 65 countries, they provide financial solutions to individuals, businesses, and institutions.
Why is Societe Generale falling?
Societe Generale's financial struggles are partly due to a miscalculated interest rate hedging policy, which has negatively impacted its net interest income. This has led the bank to adjust its targets, contributing to its decline.
How prestigious is Societe Generale?
Société Générale is a highly respected bank, ranked as France's third largest and Europe's sixth largest, with a global presence. Its systemically important status underscores its significant influence in the global financial landscape.
Is Societe Generale a good bank?
Societe Generale has a strong credit rating of 'A-' from Fitch Ratings, indicating a stable financial position. This suggests that Societe Generale is a reliable and trustworthy bank, but for a more detailed assessment, consider reviewing their financial performance and services.
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