The SG French Retail Banking network obtains the "Engagé RSE" label

SG, the French Retail Banking network, is committed to the Societe Generale group’s CSR ambition that notably aims to contribute 500 billion euros to sustainable finance between 2024 and 2030, with much of this financing devoted to transactions in the field of low-carbon energy, real estate and mobility, as well as the environmental transition. The SG network in France is also participating in the economic and social development of its local communities.

Within this framework, the French Retail Banking network has put a CSR (1) roadmap and governance in place. In 2024, it asked independent body AFNOR Certification to assess its level of CSR maturity. It obtained the “Engagé RSE” label, "Confirmed" level (2)(3), valid for three years from February 2025. This label demonstrates its desire to incorporate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within its activities and its relations with its clients, partners and employees.

Solutions to take action

Established throughout French regions, the SG French Retail Banking network offers its clients practical solutions to tackle environmental and social challenges.

For example, for its individual customers, it has put in place:

• Advice enabling them to take action at their own level; 
• A mechanism to help them reduce their energy bills and the carbon footprint of their real-estate assets, with our partner Hello Watt;
• The possibility of financing work to optimise the energy performances of their real-estate assets ;
• Solutions to finance and insure hybrid and electric vehicles;
• A composite range of savings, part of which is SRI (4) labelled, allowing exposure to the main asset classes, geographical regions and numerous sectors of activity with an approach that takes environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into consideration;
• Inclusive and solidarity offers to help young people, protect our customers and foster inclusion, such as the Crédit Expresso Adaptation Domicile home adaptation loan.

For professionals, who benefit from a single account manager for their personal and professional lives, the SG French Retail Banking network provides: 

• The opportunity to measure and improve their CSR approach thanks to the support and evaluation tools of its partner Carbo;
• The financing of their projects related to the ecological transition facilitated by the Garantie BPI Verte;
• The possibility of benefitting from microfinance support with its partner ADIE (a non-profit promoting the right to economic initiative) to obtain financial services when they have limited means and restricted access to banking institutions.

For companies, the SG French Retail Banking network puts at their disposal the expertise of a local Head of CSR, advice relating to CSR issues and financing solutions:

• The Positive Impact Loan, for which the interest rate fluctuates as the company meets ESG indicator targets it has defined with the Bank;
• The Environmental and Social Loan, to finance a specific CSR project (low-carbon transport, social and solidarity economy, etc), such as the ‘Solar Pack’ to help companies install solar panels.

To support companies with solutions tailored to their maturity, size and challenges, it also distributes offers from its partners: assessment of CSR maturity, evaluation of their carbon footprint, help with the deployment of a CSR approach, solutions to reduce their energy consumption and their carbon footprint, etc.

The “Engagé RSE” label by AFNOR Certification

Obtaining the “Engagé RSE” label, “Confirmed” level, requires a rigorous assessment by AFNOR Certification. This label is based on stringent criteria aligned with international benchmarks such as ISO 26000.

The label encourages SG, the French Retail Banking network, to continue its actions in favour of the ecological transition and social inclusion alongside its employees and clients.

It bolsters its patronage and sponsorship actions around the country, and notably those in the field of education, culture and the environment.

(1) CSR: Corporate Social Responsibility  
(2) The “Engagé RSE” (CSR commitment) label has been awarded since 2010 by AFNOR Certification, leading third-party certification body in France. On the basis of international standards and benchmarks, the “Engagé RSE” label assesses the level to which CSR has been integrated in the organisation’s strategy and management and qualifies the organisation’s level of maturity with regard to CSR: Initial, Progression (1 star), Confirmed (2 stars) and Exemplary (3 stars). 
(3) Following an in-depth audit by AFNOR Certification and discussions with the SG network’s stakeholders (employees, clients, partners…) on key areas of focus (CSR strategy and governance, deployment of the CSR approach, human resources, working conditions and labour relations, production and sustainable consumption methods and consumer issues) and the results of environmental, social and economic indicators.
(4) SRI: Socially Responsible Investment