40 I SOCIETE GENERALE 2014-2015 SÉVERIN CABANNES DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER How would you define the bank’s responsibilities? Séverin Cabannes Our primary responsibility is to fulfil our duty to our clients. This is achieved by financing their projects as securely and equitably as possible, by controlling the risks they take with us as well those we take on our own behalf. At the same time, because our services answer essential economic needs, we have an important responsibility toward society as a whole. This is a systemic responsibility that we share with our regulators and supervisory authorities. We work together and are mutually responsible for the sustainability of the financial system in the countries where we operate. This requires strict diligence in applying the rules that ensure the system operates smoothly and in managing the bank’s risks. Lastly, because our activities have long-term impacts, our responsibility extends to all areas of sustainable development, in terms of both our own footprint and that of our clients. We are fully aware of this and it’s why have we have established environmental and social principles that apply to all of our activities and have been incorporated into the way we conduct our business on a day-to-day basis. How do you ensure clients incur “appropriate risk”? S.C. The best way to manage risk is to first fully appreciate the risk involved and to then build trust over the long term. When we grant a company a long-term loan, we are better able to manage this risk over time when we’ve had the opportunity to get to know each other and develop a relationship built on trust. When a difficulty does arise, if the relationship is built on trust, with a long-term view and the level of transparency this implies, we can anticipate the risk and help our client navigate short-term uncertainties while preserving their company’s development potential over the long term. This is the vision that inspired our goal of being THE relationship-focused bank. It gives us a competitive advantage that benefits our clients. When they have a project, we are the first to hear about it and so the first to offer the appropriate financing. In short, a long-term relationship built on trust increases the bank’s value to its clients. AN INTERVIEW WITH The banking profession is now more than ever right at the heart of the economy and of society. Séverin Cabannes gives his view of a committed and responsible bank.
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