The largest non-mutual network in France

Retail banking in France (32,9% of the NBI of the Group in 2008) combines the networks of Société Générale  and the regional banks of the Crédit du Nord group.

The retail banking sector is highly competitive in France. We very quickly understood the importance of asserting our specific characteristics, both to clients and to our competitors.

• Thanks to our two networks, which are complementary in terms of positioning and client types, we have a very broad geographical and commercial reach.
• We have some 40,000 employees.
• We recruited more than 2,800 people on permanent contracts in 2008.
• Our network has more than 3,000 branches.
• The performance of our integrated multi-channel distribution system is extremely high, with an average of 20 million Internet connections per month in 2008 (Société Générale's network only).

• Go to the French Retail Banking Careers website
• Our careers in the French retail banking network

Expertise we have successfully developed in international markets

In international retail banking we are continuing a targeted investment strategy based on the principle of rolling out our French banking model in other countries, while respecting the specific characteristics of local markets. Combining internal and external growth, the retail banking networks outside France are based on the concept of the universal bank, which develops all products and services for a broad client base, consisting of both businesses and individuals.
 
At the end of 2008, International Retail Banking employs 63,000 staff members in 3,700 branches, in regions such as Central and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean basin, Africa and French overseas territories. Our Group holds strong positions in Romania, where its subsidiary, BRD, is the second largest bank in the country. The international retail banking networks are also well represented in the Czech Republic, thanks to Komercni Banka, which in 2007 was voted the most attractive employer in the country for the 5th consecutive year.

Since February, Société Générale has become the majority shareholder in Rosbank, one of Russia’s largest retail banking networks. Almost 16,000 new employees have thus joined the Group.
We are also present in Russia through our subsidiaries of specialized financial services such as Delta Credit and Rusfinance. The bank holds significant positions around the Mediterranean basin notably in the Maghreb and in Egypt.