Our history

Contents
Our history

From past to present: entrepreneurial spirit in action

Societe Generale has been supporting economic development for 160 years through generations of staff and clients.

On 4 May 1864, Napoleon III signed Societe Generale’s founding decree. Founded by a group of industrialists and financiers driven by the ideals of progress, the Bank’s mission has always been "to promote the development of trade and industry in France".

Since our beginnings, Societe Generale has worked to modernise the economy, following the model of a diversified bank at the cutting edge of financial innovation. The branch network grew rapidly throughout the French territory, increasing from 46 to 1,500 branches between 1870 and 1940. During the interwar period, the Bank became the leading French credit institution in terms of deposits.

At the same time, Societe Generale began to build an international reach by financing infrastructure essential to the economic development of a number of countries in Latin America, Europe and North Africa.

This expansion was accompanied by the establishment of an international retail network. In 1871, the Bank opened our London branch. On the eve of World War I, Societe Generale had a presence in 14 countries, either directly or through one of our subsidiaries, in particular in Russia. This network was then expanded by opening branches in New York, Buenos Aires, Abidjan and Dakar, and by acquiring stakes in financial institutions in Central Europe.

Innovative products driving sustainable growth

Societe Generale was nationalised by the French law of 2 December 1945 and played an active role in financing the reconstruction of the French territory. The Bank thrived during the prosperous post-war decades and contributed towider adoption of banking technologies by launching innovative products for businesses, such as medium-term discountable credit and lease financing agreements, for which we held the position of market leader.

Societe Generale demonstrated our ability to adapt to a new environment by taking advantage of the banking reforms that followed the French Debré laws of 1966-1967. While continuing to support our partner companies, the Group immediately began to focus our business towards individual customers. In this way, we supported the emergence of a consumer society by diversifying the credit and savings services available to households.

In June 1987, Societe Generale was privatised with a successful stock market launch and shares were offered to Group staff. The Group developed a universal banking strategy, in particular through our Corporate and Investment Banking arm, to support the development of our customers worldwide. In France, the Bank expanded the retail banking networks by founding Fimatex in 1995, which later became Boursorama, now a leading online bank, and by acquiring Crédit du Nord in 1997. Internationally, the Group was established in Central and Eastern Europe through Komerční Banka in the Czech Republic and BRD in Romania, and in Russia with Rosbank, while consolidating growth in Africa in Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, among others.

The Group has pursued a momentum of transformation through our sustainable growth strategy, driven by our core values of Team Spirit, Innovation, Responsibility and Commitment. Firmly focused on the future whilst helping our clients to bring their projects to life, Societe Generale has embraced with conviction the opportunities of the digital age to best anticipate the needs of our customers and members of staff, and embody the bank of the 21st century. Drawing on more than 160 years of expertise at the service of its clients and the development of the real economy, in January 2020, Societe Generale group defined its new corporate purpose as "Building together, with our clients, a better and sustainable future through responsible and innovative financial solutions".

For 160 years, we have been making our clients' ideas grow

For 160 years, the Group has been resolutely committed to meeting the challenges of our time, for sustainable development and responsible transition. Today, the Group has more than 126,000 employees in 65 countries. 

True to the entrepreneurial spirit that has inspired it since its origins, it continues to build bridges between generations by supporting the projects of more than 25 million customers around the world. 

The strength of the legacy left by previous generations enables the Societe Generale group to look to the future with boldness, determination and confidence.

Our history through time

1864
Décret d'application du 4 mai 1864

Societe Generale founded by a group of industrialists and financiers to “promote the development of trade and industry”

1871

First international branch opened in London

1889
Construction de la Tour Eiffel

Eiffel Tower inaugurated on 31 March 1889, with innovative co-financing of the project arranged by Societe Generale

1901

Introduction of the General Inspection competitive exam

1903

Creation of the Societe Generale athletic club (Club athlétique de Société Générale, CASG), with many champions emerging from its ranks

1909

“La Solidarité”, a philanthropic and solidarity-based association established to promote professional inclusion initiatives for the underprivileged

1928

Calif (Crédit à l’industrie française) founded together with leading French industrial groups to support business development of French companies and promote the exports

1939
Bureau à New York

Presence established in the United States (New York) and several other international branches opened

1945

Nationalisation of Societe Generale. The Bank played an active role in financing post-war reconstruction and contributed to the development of France during the “Thirty Glorious Years”

1968
Affiche Sogebail

Sogebail’s credit products introduced (a first in France)

1985

First bank to offer its customers online services with the introduction of Logitel

1987

Privatisation of Societe Generale, leading to the expansion of its Universal Banking model and contribution to globalisation of the economy

Societe Generale becomes the sponsor of the French Rugby Federation (Fédération française de rugby, FFR)

1995

Creation of Fimatex, which later became Boursorama

1997

Acquisition of Credit du Nord group

2001

Acquisition of KB in the Czech Republic. Further expansion of International Retail Banking.

2007

Societe Generale proves its resilience during the financial crisis and an ability to transform itself

2015

Ahead of the Paris Agreement, Societe Generale has adopted a global policy in favour of the climate. Among the banks that launched the Positive Impact Finance Initiative, the Group issued the first Positive Impact bond

2023
Devanture d'une agence SG

Creation of SG, a new retail bank in France, through the merger of Societe Generale and Crédit du Nord networks

2023
BoursoBank, la banque qu'on a envie de recommander.

Development of BoursoBank, France’s leading online bank

2023
Ayvens, better with ervery move

Inclusion of LeasePlan’s activities into Ayvens, a global leader in mobility

2023
Bernstein - Societe Generale group

Preparation of the launch of the joint venture with AllianceBernstein to create a leader in research and cash equities

2023

Partnership announced with Brookfield to set up a €10 billion private debt fund