“The creation of RESG*/GTS (or Global Technology Services), which brings together all the Group's servers, data centres, telecommunications services and workstations, is a major event for Société Générale and an important step towards greater operational efficiency. Due to the pooling of these resources, EUR 100 million of annual recurring gains should be made by 2010, contributing to the completion of the Group's Operational Efficiency Plan (OEP). The savings expected by 2013 are around EUR 300 million.

Aside from having their costs reduced, the core businesses will benefit daily from the services of a shared platform that is more coherent and offers higher added value. Above all, this new entity will offer its employees a richer and more diversified professional environment and greater career opportunities. Our ambition is for RESG/GTS to become a global, visible and recognised entity within a few months, conveying a true brand image both internally and externally.

As well as contributing to the OEP's objectives (EUR 1 billion saved by 2010), RESG/GTS represents a first decisive step towards changing our operational approach. In an environment where the banking sector's profitability will be structurally lower, our ability to build bridges between businesses, pool our skills and our expertise, optimise our operating methods and reduce needless expenses, in IT and other fields, will be decisive in making the difference and preparing for the future. Against this backdrop, the role of the Resource Department is to facilitate these synergies by developing and operating global shared service platforms on the Group's behalf. This involves two sets of requirements: providing services that meet the businesses' expectations and making sure that they are in line with the highest professional standards in terms of quality, reliability and costs. Ultimately this means ensuring a long-lasting and responsible performance from which our final customers will benefit.”

*RESG, BUILDING THE BANK OF TOMORROW
The Corporate Resources division (RESG) is building the bank of tomorrow:
- by placing itself as a developer and operator of shared service platforms for the entire Group, in areas like IT, property services, sourcing, etc.
- by leading the company’s operational transformation

These two missions have the same goal: ensure that Société Générale Group’s standards of operational performance are among the best in the market.