Société Générale will increase the pace of branch closures in its retail banking business in 2027, according to internal documents reviewed by French business daily Les Echos.
The bank plans to shut 148 branches that year, representing 8% of its network.
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This compares with a little more than 100 closures planned for 2026.
Its network is projected to fall to 1,621 points of sale by the end of 2027, from 1,769 at the end of this year.
The closures will involve 376 personnel transfers.
Société Générale intends to move employees and their client portfolios to one or more nearby sites rather than reduce headcount.
In almost half of cases, the receiving branch will be within five kilometres.
The restructuring plan also removes 38 branch manager positions.
Union representatives have raised concerns about the prospects for people currently in those roles.
In its explanatory document, the group said: “Their size and operating methods generate specific organizational, commercial, and managerial constraints that can weaken service quality, operational efficiency, and job attractiveness,”
A union source said smaller sites also create administrative difficulties for advisors: “It is established that a number of small sites represent a complexity of daily management for advisors,”
The internal document states that staff at these branches must devote more time to “shared reception” functions, according to the translated version of the news report.
This reduces the time available for managing and expanding client portfolios.
It also identifies difficulties in arranging cover when an employee is absent, placing added demands on branch managers.
The document further refers to “sometimes limited responsiveness in providing wealth management and professional expertise, as these resources may be geographically distant from the branches.”
The planned reduction in branch manager positions remains the main concern for employee representatives.
“This is not insignificant, as those holding these positions are finding it increasingly difficult to reposition themselves,” one elected representative said.
