Societe Generale said it would take a 3.1 billion euro (US$3.4 billion) hit by exiting Russia and selling its stake in Rosbank. (Photo: AFP/File/Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV)
PARIS: French banking group Societe Generale said on Monday (Apr 11) it was ceasing activities in Russia and selling its majority stake in Rosbank, weeks after Ukraine’s leader urged French firms to leave over Moscow’s invasion of his country.
Societe Generale said in a statement that its withdrawal from Russia would cost it 3.1 billion euros (US$3.4 billion).
“Societe Generale ceases its banking and insurance activities in Russia,” the firm said in a statement.
It also announced “the signing of a sale and purchase agreement to sell its entire stake in Rosbank and the Group’s Russian insurance subsidiaries” to Interros Capital, an investment firm founded by one of Russia’s richest oligarchs, Kremlin confidant Vladimir Potanin.
“With this agreement, concluded after several weeks of intensive work, the Group would exit in an effective and orderly manner from Russia, ensuring continuity for its employees and clients,” Societe Generale said.
The bank said it expects the deal to be completed in the coming weeks and that it was subject to approval from regulators.
Societe Generale shares sank by more than 5 per cent following its announcement.
In a separate statement, Interros said that “the conditions for the deal have been approved by the government commission on control over foreign investment in the Russia Federation”.
“Interros intends to do the maximum efforts to develop Rosbank,” Potanin said in his company’s statement.
“The main objective is to maintain the stability of Rosbank, as well as create new opportunities for its clients and partners,” he said.
In a statement, Rosbank said it was “certain” that the firm would maintain its stability thanks to its “expertise” and reliance on “international expertise”.
The Russian bank said it built “great resistance” to economic turmoil due to its “well-thought-out risk policy” as well as its balanced loan portfolio and diversified liquidity base.
Hundreds of foreign companies, ranging from financial firms to retailers and fast-food restaurants, have pulled out of Russia since the Feb 24 invasion.
But French firms, which are the biggest foreign employers in Russia, have been among the slowest to withdraw, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to urge them to leave during an address to the French parliament on Mar 23.
The Western exodus followed the invasion and a slew of Western sanctions on Russia, including the freezing of US$300 billion of the country’s foreign currency reserves abroad.
Russia has since faced the risk of defaulting on its debt.