Local development: supporting communities

Local development is one of the pillars of the Group’s corporate social responsibility strategy, which aims to support economic and social dynamics in the communities where it operates. 

In this context, Societe Generale primarily contributes through its financing, advisory and service activities, working alongside local economic, institutional and non-profit stakeholders. 

These activities form part of a broad range of initiatives whose economic, social and environmental impacts may vary depending on the projects and sectors involved. 

Supporting businesses and local economic development

In France, the SG French Retail Network supports companies of various sizes through its regional corporate banking centers. 

Dedicated programs such as SG Entrepreneurs SG Entrepreneurs and SG Entrepreneurs Tech provide solutions tailored to the different stages of a company’s development, including start-up, growth and business transfer phases, drawing on both financial and non-financial expertise. 

The Group offers several financing solutions that incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria within the framework of its product offerings, including:

• Positive Impact Loan, under which certain financial conditions may evolve based on ESG indicators contractually agreed with the client;
• Environmental and Social Loan, designed to finance projects identified, according to the product's eligibility criteria, as contributing to areas such as low-emission mobility, energy efficiency or the social and solidarity economy. 

Detailed product features, eligibility criteria and monitoring arrangements are set out in the relevant product documentation.

The Group also provides support services, in partnership with external organizations such as EcoVadis, Schneider Electric and Afnor Compétences, to help companies assess or structure their CSR approaches. 

Supporting businesses internationally

Societe Generale also supports companies in their international activities through its local presence around the world. 

In some countries, specific financing solutions may be offered to incorporate ESG objectives into financing arrangements, such as Sustainability-Linked Loans (SLLs), whose characteristics are based on contractually defined indicators. 

For example, in Romania, BRD has developed financing solutions incorporating this type of mechanism, particularly in partnership with commercial stakeholders, to support investment initiatives such as energy efficiency projects or equipment related to electric mobility. 

These solutions are implemented within specific local contexts, and their deployment may vary depending on market conditions and economic circumstances. 

Supporting social economy organizations

The Group also works with organizations operating within the social and solidarity economy, including associations, institutions and organizations pursuing a social purpose. 

This support is delivered through financing and service offerings tailored to the specific characteristics of these organizations, particularly in terms of governance, business model and social impact. A dedicated institutional client center in the Paris region reflects this sector expertise.

Financing infrastructure and strategic projects

As part of its financing activities, Societe Generale participates in infrastructure projects across sectors such as energy, transport, healthcare, water access and housing. 

These projects may contribute to local economic development while also being associated with environmental and social impacts that are generally subject to specific assessments, depending on the nature of the transaction and applicable frameworks. 

Examples of projects financed by the Group include:

• participation in the financing of a seawater desalination infrastructure project in Morocco;
• financing rail transportation projects in Europe and internationally; 
• supporting urban transportation infrastructure projects; 
• participating in the financing of healthcare facilities or industrial installations. 

These examples illustrate the diversity of the Group’s activities and should not be considered representative of all of its operations or their impacts. 

Transparency and operating framework

The activities described on this page relate to the Group’s banking businesses and are carried out within analysis, decision-making and monitoring frameworks that may incorporate both financial and non-financial criteria. 

The methodologies, indicators and reporting boundaries associated with the Group’s commitments are described in its public disclosures (including Sustainability statement – p. 265 of the Universal Registration Document 2026) and may evolve in line with regulatory requirements and market standards. 

The examples presented above illustrate selected transactions completed by the Group. They do not reflect the full scope of its activities or portfolios. The environmental and social impacts of financed projects depend on numerous factors specific to each transaction.