Code of Conduct

A Code of Conduct for all

Clients, staff, shareholders, investors, regulators and supervisors, and suppliers: all of Societe Generale group’s stakeholders expect us to act with responsibility.

The integrity of the individual and collective behaviour of our staff is the way we earn the lasting trust of our clients.

By developing a culture of responsibility built on our day-to-day actions, we make a clear contribution to upholding the Group's long-term reputation.

For all these reasons, Societe Generale has chosen to adopt a Code of Conduct which requires all of our staff members, whether permanent or temporary, to follow specific commitments.

A precise control, measurement and risk assessment system has been put in place. It guarantees the solid commitment to a healthy corporate culture and to honest, ethical and responsible conduct. A disciplinary sanctions policy was formalised in 2019, distinguishing clearly the difference between the right to make a mistake and misconduct, with zero tolerance for the latter.

Defining the founding principles of our professional ethics, the Societe Generale Code of Conduct is not limited to the strict application of the laws, standards and regulations in force in the various countries in which we operate. It implements the highest ethical standards to which we wish to adhere, both in terms of respect for human rights and environmental protection. Action has also been taken in other fields as well, including the prevention of conflicts of interest and corruption, the fight against money laundering and covert financing. Respect for market integrity, data protection and responsible purchasing are also at the heart of our practices.  

These internal commitments are formally stated in several charters and compilations of guiding principles, such as the Responsible Lobbying Charter, the Code of Tax Conduct, the Code Governing the Fight against Corruption and Influence Peddling and the Responsible Purchasing Charter.

The Code of Conduct calls on each of our staff members to exercise their individual responsibility in practical terms. All are invited to express their questions and possible concerns to ensure there is no danger of a failure to apply the Code of Conduct. Whistleblowing is encouraged if doubt persists. Societe Generale protects and supports whistleblowers, whether they are permanent or temporary members of staff or service providers. A secure external platform enables alerts to be collected and processed anonymously, with strict compliance with personal data requirements.

Our Code of Conduct is part of the more general framework of the Culture and Conduct programme. This programme has been in place since 2017, and promotes ethical behaviour and collective and individual responsibility within our teams as a strategic issue, a differentiating factor on which our Group's prosperity and attractiveness depends. Between 2017 and 2019, face-to-face workshops and remote training sessions have enabled all our staff to identify and transform their risk areas in order to take better ownership of this programme. Since 2020, there has been a period of transition towards the full responsibility of our Business Units and Service Units to monitor and evaluate their progress in these areas.