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Russia - France
Apart from reliability, our individual
customers want us to be a modern
international bank. The Russian
market is quite advanced concerning
the digitalization of banking services.
We are therefore investing a great
deal in this field to meet consumer
expectations. Finally, we can provide
corporate customers with both local
knowledge of the market, as we are
present all over the country, and
international expertise. We are really
a benchmark for companies that are
specialized in import-export.
Customers in this segment want us
to continue to be active in this market
and bring the strength of the Société
Générale Group to bear. We are also
present in the activity of financing
SMEs, which is developing in Russia
and which is a growth driver for our
local strategy. The expectations of
SMEs are quite similar to those that I
have just described for corporate
customers.
Finally, large international compa-
nies ask Société Générale to remain
connected to the Russian market and
continue to support them in their
local development despite difficulties
or possible political crises.
On what commitments and values is
the success of your Group in Russia
based?
D. H.:
We are here to serve our custo-
mers! This is our guiding principle
and our driving force. Ilya Polyakov
referred to the geopolitical context.
We conduct our business as bankers
whatever the circumstances may be.
Our commitment is long-established,
revived and abiding and our custo-
mers know it. We do not implement
policies that change according to the
circumstances: we implement a
coherent long-term strategy.
Our third asset is our professiona-
lism, because we are the bearers of
an international-level standard and it
is one of our contributions that is
recognized by the Russian authori-
ties. Furthermore, thanks to the
harmony between our Russian teams
and our international network, we
provide innovation, especially in the
digital field, which is a very important
priority for development in Russia, as
it is in our other markets.
Finally, one of our key values is our
team spirit, which can be seen at
work between the Russian teams and
also between them and the interna-
tional teams.
What are your projects and develop-
ment goals?
D. H.:
We are very much committed to
continuing our growth in Russia.
The aim is no longer to extend our
geographic coverage, as with the
development of digital technology, we
are tending to reduce the number of
our outlets and branches in the coun-
try a little.
However, we are making a major
effort to transform these branches
and turn them into more practical
areas that are more pleasant for
welcoming customers. We are also
working on their locations to make
these places more visible and more
accessible.
I. P.:
Our strategy for 2020 has just
been adopted: the goal is the growth
of all the segments of our clientele,
above all individuals, and an increase
in profitability, with the goal of a 16%
return on equity in 2020. To reach
this, we will have to complete several
projects, including the digitalization
of services that I already mentioned,
as well as the digitalization of our
internal processes.
Globally, our strategy is to strengthen
our positions and remain the interna-
tional benchmark bank in Russia
while remaining very close to our
customers.
• Perizat Shaikhina, deputy CEO, Corporate banking coordination and develop-
ment -
• Francois Rozycki, senior vice-president, international clients coordination
and development -
Contacts
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