Societal Impact

Our companies – which, at times, trace their origins back to brands active for over one hundred years – boast a strong local and regional presence in France or enjoy an extensive global reach enabling them to play a key role in society, closely attuned to the needs of their clients.

Key actor in the social & solidarity-based economy

As the No.1 bank for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), we are also the foremost financier of the Social & Solidarity-based Economy. We are a key player in solidarity-based finance and social entrepreneurship notably through robust, longstanding partnerships with ADIE and France Active, as well as more recently through our partnership with the Impact France Movement.

Thanks to the efforts of our Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne retail banking networks, we are the leading banking group providing top-ups for ‘honor loans’ without personal guarantees provided by Initiative France and the No.1 issuer of loans guaranteed by France Active for very small businesses.

Groupe BPCE is also a major player in social housing in France, serving as the long-standing banker for social housing through the Habitat en Région Group, the second-largest private social housing operator in France that provides accommodation for over 270,000 people.

Our companies ensure that their products and services meet the needs of the most vulnerable members of our communities and contribute to a more equitable society. They promote both financial and non-financial education in order to contribute to the economic empowerment of all individuals.

A Group with a positive impact from the moment of its creation
  • No.1 provider of funding for the Social & Solidarity-based Economy
    No.1 provider of funding for the Social & Solidarity-based Economy
  • Major player in social entrepreneurship and microcredit solutions
    Major player in social entrepreneurship and microcredit solutions
  • No.1 provider of private funding for public-sector entities
    No.1 provider of private funding for public-sector entities

Actor in territorial regions and parts of the world where we do business

In the regions, the Banques Populaires and Caisses d’Epargne are key players in the dynamic development of our territories, notably by financing the construction or renovation of infrastructure and facilities necessary for education, health, and mobility. These activities make them the No.1 providers of private funding for local authorities and the hospital sector.

In this way, our Group plays a major role in local ecosystems promoting territorial cohesion, supporting numerous initiatives in favor of social inclusion and the reduction of inequalities. Co-constructing local solutions to address major societal and environmental issues is a distinguishing feature of Groupe BPCE.

On a global scale, Natixis Investment Managers and Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking are developing their asset & wealth management and corporate & investment banking business lines in over 40 countries, in line with international commitments in terms of investment and financing activities.

Committed to supporting local and national initiatives

The impact of the sponsorship activities of the 14 Banques Populaires is measured annually through their Cooperative & Societal Footprint metric. Based on ISO 26 000 (a benchmark international standard for CSR), this footprint identifies the CSR and cooperative actions implemented within each bank (over 6,400 local actions in 2023) and estimates the value of these activities expressed in euros.

The 15 Caisses d’Epargne have rolled out their Utility Contract throughout all of regional France, in their capacity as 100% cooperative, 100% regional, and 100% useful financial institutions for the economic, social, and environmental development of the territories. The Caisses d’Epargne, a network of savings banks created by philanthropists, have been working since their inception in favor of social cohesion and the fight against exclusion.

34 million euros The annual amount dedicated to sponsorship by Groupe BPCE companies, leading corporate sponsors in France

The Banques Populaires and Caisses d’Epargne along with their respective federations and foundations are among the foremost corporate sponsors in France, investing almost 34 million euros in the regions every year. This sponsorship enables them to support local projects promoting education, health, economic & social integration, solidarity, culture, the national heritage, and sport.

We are contributing to the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in our capacity as a major sponsor of the Fondation du patrimoine (Heritage Foundation). We are helping to preserve France’s maritime heritage with the Belem Foundation of which the Caisse d’Epargne is the long-standing sponsor. With the Natixis Foundation, we are encouraging the employees in our global business lines to be committed to an equitable transition to a more sustainable and socially inclusive world. We are also supporting Energy Observer, the first self-sufficient hydrogen-powered ship, which is both a proof of concept and laboratory for the ecological transition.

With all our brands, we are a Premium Partner of the Olympic & Paralympic Games Paris 2024, and we aim to contribute to the Legacy of Paris 2024 through actions promoting social inclusion, diversity, and environmental excellence by implementing a dedicated program that allows us to maintain our chosen strategy over the long term.