Q1 2019 results

Published on 03/05/2019

Q1 19: EFFECTIVELY EXECUTING THE STRATEGIC PLAN. SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN CET1 AT 11.7%(2) (+55bp) HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY FINANCIAL DATA FOR Q1 19: - Increase in CET1 of +55 basis points at 11.7%(2) - Underlying Group net income of EUR 1,010 million. Group ROTE(1) at 8.4% - Revenues of EUR 6,191 million in Q1 19 (-1.6% vs. Q1 18), with a solid performance by the businesses (+0.3%), driven in particular by International Retail Banking & Financial Services (+6.8%* vs. Q1 18) and Financing & Advisory (+18.5% vs. Q1 18) - Operating expenses under control at EUR 4,789 million (+1.3% vs. Q1 18) - Still low cost of risk at 21 basis points, with a decline in the non-performing loan ratio to 3.5% - Adaptation of the operational set-up in Global Banking & Investor Solutions around the refocusing of Global Markets and the execution of the additional cost-cutting plan - Continued Group refocusing: finalisation of several disposals(3) for a total impact of +20 basis points on CET1 in Q1 19 and announcement of the disposal of SKB in Slovenia to OTP Bank representing an estimated equivalent impact of around +7 basis points on CET1 at the closing date.

Fréderic Oudéa, the Group’s Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“Societe Generale already benefited in Q1 2019 from the initial effects of the implementation of the measures announced at the time of the 2018 full-year results. We continued with the transformation of French Retail Banking, provided further evidence of the robust momentum in International Retail Banking & Financial Services and demonstrated Global Banking & Investor Solutions’ ability to rapidly adapt, with an already tangible reduction in risk-weighted assets which, combined with the finalisation of five disposals, has resulted in a substantial increase in the level of our capital. We are continuing to steadily implement our refocusing programme, with the announcement this morning of the disposal of our SKB subsidiary in Slovenia. As a result of our determined actions, we saw a substantial increase in CET1 ratio in
Q1 19, strengthening our ability to achieve the 12% CET1 ratio target as soon as possible.

Our solid results are also based on good risk management and the controlled development of our costs, which will continue with the new cost-saving measures that we have recently introduced. Moreover, our leading position in renewable energy financing (recognised in 2018) confirms our commitment to support the positive transformations of our customers and our economies with all the responsibility necessary.

All these advances illustrate the robustness of our business model and our ability to implement our strategic and financial plan despite an unfavourable European environment.

 

The footnote * in this document corresponds to data adjusted for changes in Group structure and at constant exchange rates.

(1) Underlying data. See methodology note 5 for the transition from accounting data to underlying data.
(2) Taking into account the assumption of a 50% subscription rate for the option of a dividend payment in shares subject to approval by the Ordinary General Meeting on May 21st, 2019 and a pay-out ratio of 50% for Q1 19 earnings
(3) Including the stakes in La Banque Postale Financement, Self Trade Bank, Societe Generale Expressbank (Bulgaria), Societe Generale Albania and the Private Banking activities in Belgium