Corporate Social Responsibility at Societe Generale

In this section you will find all the essential information about CSR at Societe Generale.

Now more than ever, CSR is a driver of future performance, which is at the heart of our strategy,
in line with our purpose and our values, and gives
the banking profession its full meaning.

Sylvie Préa, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility

In 2017, Societe Generale presented its strategic plan for 2020, Transform to Grow, which set out a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ambition for all of the Group’s activities. In order to define it, the Bank consulted extensively with its stakeholders, both internal and external. It then established a Materiality Matrix of stakeholder expectations, ranking sustainable development issues according to the priorities expressed.

The aim of this CSR ambition is to create added value for stakeholders and support positive societal transformation, including with regard to energy transition and sustainable cities, by offering sustainable products and services whilst prioritising customer satisfaction.

An ambition developed in six areas

Climate change
As a pioneer in financing renewable energy, committed since 2015 to aligning its activities by 2020 to a path aimed at limiting global warming to 2°C, the Group has a proactive and responsible climate strategy based around two priorities: guiding its customers in their energy transition and progressively reducing our activities connected to the most carbon intensive energies.

Societal innovations
While the Bank’s clients, whether investors, corporations or individuals, are looking for solutions to new environmental and societal challenges, Societe Generale is paying special attention to emerging societal trends and so provide appropriate solutions. Through support for the social and solidarity economy, assistance for entrepreneurs, development of sustainable cities and mobility, as well as inclusion, the Bank helps embody a responsible and interdependent future.

Sustainable development of Africa
With roots in African countries for over 100 years, the Group has made sustainable and low-carbon development on the continent a top priority and has fully incorporated these goals into our strategy. Societe Generale is capitalising on our diversified and integrated model to rise to major challenges, including support for SMEs, banking inclusion and funding of infrastructure, renewable energy, and agribusiness.

Ethics and governance
The Group asks its staff to follow the highest standards of integrity in everything they say and do. This condition is essential to the smooth operation of the Bank’s activities. This approach, which integrates environmental, social, and governance risks, underpins all the decisions taken at every level of the company.

Customer satisfaction and protection
As a trusted partner, Societe Generale applies itself each day to protecting and satisfying its customers by aiming for the highest security and service quality standards.

Responsible employer
This area is developed in three priority fields: guiding changes in the Bank’s businesses by developing the necessary skills to adapt to these changes; developing a responsible banking culture, based on shared values; and fostering staff commitment, a gauge of performance and unity.

An ambition contributing to sustainable development goals
With its geographic footprint, in all countries in which it operates, through the diversity of its businesses and by its commitment as a responsible bank, Societe Generale is helping to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).