Site institutionnel du Groupe Société Générale
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Société Générale dates back to 4 May 1864, date of the authorisation decree signed by Napoleon III. The bank's ambitions were reflected in its original articles of association, when it took the form - still very unusual at the time - of a limited company.

Since 1864

The company started to hire employees and establish offices. Coverage of France went ahead at a steady rate. By 1870, the bank had 15 branches in Paris and 32 in the French provinces. It set up a permanent office in London in 1871.

Société Générale Identity

At the beginning the sign above the entrance carried the engraved enamelled glass inscription “Société Générale favouring the development of trade and industry in France” followed by the amount of the capital...

Access archives

Societe Generale's historical archive service was created in 1994 when the bank's central services were transferred from their historical location in the Opéra district to a centralised location in La Défense.

About the Group