The business line operates in some twenty countries with over 30,000 employees and 5 million customers, giving the Group a significant presence in retail banking in Europe and around the Mediterranean Basin, Between 2006 and 2008, Crédit Agricole stepped up its international development, with a focus on responsibility and safety through the compliance programme that was rolled out in all the entities. This international expansion was also an opportunity to exchange social and environmental best practices within the foreign subsidiaries.
International retail banking
Responsible growth in a secure framework
After its acquisitions in Ukraine, Egypt and Greece in 2006 an in Italy in 2007, Crédit Agricole continued to structure its international development:
To ensure a secure framework for international expansion, in 2007, Crédit Agricole created a special unit for this purpose within its Compliance Department This department ascertains that the Group's compliance guidelines, including the FIDES compliance standards, are circulated within each new foreign subsidiary.
In 2008, the main efforts were devoted to continuing the ongoing programme to supplement local compliance risk prevention and control procedures.
Moreover, in 2008, a network consisting of about ten sustainable development officers was created within the foreign subsidiaries. It is coordinated and spearheaded by a dedicated officer in the International retail banking business line.
Good practices abroad
Solidarity with the less fortunate
The Cariparma FriulAdria Group, alongside various local community institutions and private organisation, has made a commitment to offer products intended for families, single people or students who run into temporary financial difficulties and do not receive public welfare.
CSR-oriented organisations
Emporiki Bank, which initiated a socially responsible policy several years ago, has reiterated its intent to incorporate CSR into its strategy. In 2008, it created an CSR committee that reports to its Board and is composed of three of its directors. This committee approves CSR action plans within the Greek subsidiary.
As Emporiki Bank, Meridian Bank, the Serbian subsidiary, created the same committee at the beginning of 2009. The committee will define a socially and environmentally responsible policy, assess the actions that are currently underway and develop new CSR guidelines.
Supporting Madagascar's economic development
For the past several years, BNI, Crédit Agricole's subsidiary in Madagascar, has applied a socially, economically and environmentally responsible approach in that country. BNI's commitment is reflected mainly in its involvement in the development of microfinance in Madagascar in both urban and rural areas.
BNI is a member of the CECAM1 network. A total of nearly €1.5 million microfinance loans have been granted, primarily in rural areas. Furthermore, BNI is a founding member of SIPEM2, which promotes financing for businesses in Madagascar. Since SIPEM was created in 1990, it has provided financing to 6,700 businesses.
- Crédit Agricole Mutuel savings and loans associations
- Société d’Investissement pour la Promotion des Entreprises à Madagascar
