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Are you a client? You should contact your private banker. 
You are not a client but would like to have more information about Societe Generale Private Banking? Please fill in the form below.

Local contacts

France: +33 (0)1 53 43 87 00 (9am - 6pm)
Luxembourg: +352 47 93 11 1 (8:30am - 5:30pm)
Monaco: +377 97 97 58 00 (9/12am - 2/5pm)
Switzerland: Geneva +41 22 819 02 02
& Zurich +41 44 218 56 11 (8:30am - 5:30pm)

You would like to contact us about the protection of your personal data?

Please contact the Data Protection Officer of Societe Generale Private Banking France by sending an email to the following address: protectiondesdonnees@societegenerale.fr.

Please contact the Data Protection Officer of Societe Generale Luxembourg by sending an email to the following address: lux.dpooffice@socgen.com.

For customers residing in Italy, please contact BDO, the external provider in charge of Data Protection, by sending an email to the following address: lux.dpooffice-branch-IT@socgen.com

Please contact the Data Protection Officer of Societe Generale Private Banking Monaco by sending an email to the following address: list.mon-privmonaco-dpo@socgen.com

Please contact the Data Protection Officer of Societe Generale Private Banking Switzerland by sending an email to the following address : ch-dataprotection@socgen.com

You need to make a claim?

Societe Generale Private Banking aims to provide you with the best possible quality of service. However, difficulties may sometimes arise in the operation of your account or in the use of the services made available to you.

Your private banker  is your privileged contact to receive and process your claim.

 If you disagree with or do not get a response from your advisor, you can send your claim to the direction  of Societe Generale Private Banking France by email to the following address: FR-SGPB-Relations-Clients@socgen.com or by mail to: 

Société Générale Private Banking France
29 boulevard Haussmann CS 614
75421 Paris Cedex 9

Societe Generale Private Banking France undertakes to acknowledge receipt of your claim within 10 (ten) working days from the date it is sent and to provide you with a response within 2 (two) months from the same date. If we are unable to meet this 2 (two) month deadline, you will be informed by letter.

In the event of disagreement with the bank  or of a lack of response from us within 2 (two) months of sending your first written claim, or within 15 (fifteen) working days for a claim about a payment service, you may refer the matter free of charge, depending on the nature of your claim, to:  

 

The Consumer Ombudsman at the FBF

The Consumer Ombudsman at the Fédération Bancaire Française (FBF – French Banking Federation) is competent for disputes relating to services provided and contracts concluded in the field of banking operations (e.g. management of deposit accounts, credit operations, payment services etc.), investment services, financial instruments and savings products, as well as the marketing of insurance contracts.

The FBF Ombudsman will reply directly to you within 90 (ninety) days from the date on which she/he receives all the documents on which the request is based. In the event of a complex dispute, this period may be extended. The FBF Ombudsman will formulate a reasoned position and submit it to both parties for approval.

The FBF Ombudsman can be contacted on the following website: www.lemediateur.fbf.fr or by mail at:

Le Médiateur de la Fédération Bancaire Française
CS 151
75422 Paris CEDEX 09

 

The Ombudsman of the AMF

The Ombudsman of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF - French Financial Markets Authority) is also competent for disputes relating to investment services, financial instruments and financial savings products.

For this type of dispute, as a consumer customer, you have therefore a choice between the FBF Ombudsman and the AMF Ombudsman. Once you have chosen one of these two ombudsmen, you can no longer refer the same dispute to the other ombudsman.

The AMF Ombudsman can be contacted on the AMF website: www.amf-france.org/fr/le-mediateur or by mail at:

Médiateur de l'AMF, Autorité des Marchés Financiers
17 place de la Bourse
75082 PARIS CEDEX 02
FRANCE


The Insurance Ombudsman

The Insurance Ombudsman is competent for disputes concerning the subscription, application or interpretation of insurance contracts.

The Insurance Ombudsman can be contacted using the contact details that must be mentioned in your insurance contract.

To ensure that your requests are handled effectively, any claim addressed to Societe Generale Luxembourg should be sent to:

Private banking Claims department
11, Avenue Emile Reuter
L-2420 Luxembourg

Or by email to clienteleprivee.sglux@socgen.com and for customers residing in Italy at societegenerale@unapec.it

The Bank will acknowledge your request within 10 working days and provide a response to your claim within 30 working days of receipt. If your request requires additional processing time (e.g. if it involves complex research), the Bank will inform you of this situation within the same 30-working day timeframe.

In the event that the response you receive does not meet your expectations, we suggest the following:

Initially, you may wish to contact the Societe Generale Luxembourg Division responsible for handling claims, at the following address:

Corporate Secretariat of Societe Generale Luxembourg
11, Avenue Emile Reuter
L-2420 Luxembourg

If the response from the Division responsible for claims does not resolve the claim, you may wish to contact Societe Generale Luxembourg's supervisory authority, the “Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier”/“CSSF” (Luxembourg Financial Sector Supervisory Commission):

By mail: 283, Route d’Arlon L-1150 Luxembourg
By email:
direction@cssf.lu

Any claim addressed to Societe Generale Private Banking Monaco should be sent by e-mail to the following address: servicequalite.privmonaco@socgen.com or by mail to our dedicated department: 

Societe Generale Private Banking Monaco
Middle Office – Service Réclamation 
11 avenue de Grande Bretagne
98000 Monaco

The Bank will acknowledge your request within 2 working days after receipt and provide a response to your claim within a maximum of 30 working days of receipt. If your request requires additional processing time (e.g. if it involves complex researches…), the Bank will inform you of this situation within the same 30-working day timeframe. 

In the event that the response you receive does not meet your expectations, we suggest to contact the Societe Generale Private Banking Direction that handles the claims by mail at the following address: 

Societe Generale Private Banking Monaco
Secrétariat Général
11 avenue de Grande Bretagne 
98000 Monaco

Any claim addressed to the Bank can be sent by email to:

sgpb-reclamations.ch@socgen.com
 

Clients may also contact the Swiss Banking Ombudsman: 

www.bankingombudsman.ch

 

What is a Structured Product?

What is a Structured Product?

An educational definition by our expert Yaël Eljarrat-Ouakni, Head of Structured Products offerings at Societe Generale Private Banking France (French only).

What is a Structured Product?

In theory, a financial product is said to be "structured" when it is composed of at least two financial assets. These assets can be shares, bonds, options, etc. In practice, a structured product is a financial instrument issued by a bank that offers the possibility of obtaining a return / gain, depending on the achievement of a predetermined market scenario. It can be a tool for portfolio diversification and an alternative to traditional financial investments.

What are the steps involved in creating a Structured Product?

The creation of a structured product goes through several steps:

1/ First, the risk/return trade-off needs to be determined based on the investors' objectives and constraints

2/ Then comes the choice of the "underlying", which will be the product's reference asset. This can be a stock (or a basket of stocks), a stock index, a fund, a commodity, etc.

3/ The investment horizon is then set. Structured products can have maturities ranging from 6 months to 12 years.

4/ Then, the level of capital protection is established. Indeed, the invested capital can be totally, partially or not at all protected.

5/ Finally, the "payment formula" is defined. It depends on the reference asset and will determine in which market scenarios a return will be paid or not (some formulas allowing to offer a return in case of bull market, but also in case of stable or bear market). This formula is set at the launch of the product.

What are the different types of Structured Products?

There are several types of structured products, which, according to us, can be classified into two main families: "Yield" products and "Directional" products.

♦ "Yield" products
Yield products are intended to provide a return, also known as a "Bonus" or "Coupon". "Bonus" or "Coupon". This can be fixed or variable. It can be guaranteed or conditional on the realisation of a market scenario, which will depend on the performance of the underlying. It is paid out on predetermined dates at the time the product is created (which may be monthly, quarterly annual, etc.)(1)


♦ "Directional" products
Directional products are those products that aim to to offer "participation" / "indexation" of the performance of an underlying asset. The investor can thus profit from the rise or fall of an asset. This participation is usually paid out at the maturity of the product.(2)

What about capital protection?

As with any financial investment, structured products carry a risk of capital loss. There are three product profiles for protection capital :

1/ Products the capital of which is guaranteed at maturity: these products guarantee the investor at least the full amount of thecapital capital initially invested, provided that the product is carried to maturity.(3)

2/ Products with capital protection, also known as "barrier" products: they allow the investor to benefit from a protection of the capital initially invested(4) as long the underlying asset has not crossed a threshold, also known as a "barrier", which is determined in advance. - which has been determined in advance. If the barrier is breached the investor suffers a capital loss.

3/ Products without protection: These do not offer protection to the investor in the event of an opposite development of the underlying compared to the anticipated scenario.

Regardless of the type of product protection, its lifetime valuation may fluctuate, depending on day-to-day market parameters. Thus, in the event of resale of the product before its deadline, the investor may suffer a capital loss which may be partial or even total.

What are the benefits and risks associated with Structured Products?


♦ Benefits
-    Structured products can allow a tailor-made approach and help optimize the risk / return ratio. Indeed, it is possible to modulate the product parameters so as to find the right balance between desired return and level of risk accepted by the investor, while taking into account market parameters.

- It is a tool that can facilitate diversification and make it possible to invest in assets that are sometimes not very accessible through traditional instruments.

- Finally, structured products offer, under normal market conditions, daily liquidity provided by the issuer.

♦ Risks

On the other hand, structured products involve certain risks. The main one being the risk of capital loss (which can be partial or total, during the life or at maturity of the product):

- First of all, in the event of the issuer's insolvency (the so-called issuer credit risk), there is a risk that the issuer will not be able to meet its obligations) including for capital guaranteed products. 

- In the event that the anticipated scenario does not occur (e.g. for barrier products, if the barrier products, if the underlying closes below the barrier at maturity).

- Finally, if the product is sold by the investor before maturity by the investor, the resale price depends on the market parameters of the day. Thus, the e amount reimbursed may be less than the amount subscribed(5). Changes in certain underlyings can also significantly amplify changes in the valuation of structured products.

There is also a potential opportunity cost for the client the client: if the anticipated scenario does not occur (e.g. no coupon payment) or if the scenario does materialise but the coupon paid is lower than the return the investor would have received had he invested directly in the invested directly in the underlying.


(1) Provided that the anticipated market scenario realized
(2) Provided that the anticipated market scenario realized
(3) Excluding fees and taxes applicable to the investment framework
(4) Excluding fees and taxes applicable to the investment framework
(5) Excluding fees and taxes applicable to the investment framewor

Full Script:

What is a Structured Product?

In theory, a financial product is said to be "structured" when it is composed of at least two financial assets. These assets can be shares, bonds, options, etc. In practice, a structured product is a financial instrument issued by a bank that offers the possibility of obtaining a return / gain, depending on the achievement of a predetermined market scenario. It can be a tool for portfolio diversification and an alternative to traditional financial investments.

What are the steps involved in creating a Structured Product?

The creation of a structured product goes through several steps:

1/ First, the risk/return trade-off needs to be determined based on the investors' objectives and constraints

2/ Then comes the choice of the "underlying", which will be the product's reference asset. This can be a stock (or a basket of stocks), a stock index, a fund, a commodity, etc.

3/ The investment horizon is then set. Structured products can have maturities ranging from 6 months to 12 years.

4/ Then, the level of capital protection is established. Indeed, the invested capital can be totally, partially or not at all protected.

5/ Finally, the "payment formula" is defined. It depends on the reference asset and will determine in which market scenarios a return will be paid or not (some formulas allowing to offer a return in case of bull market, but also in case of stable or bear market). This formula is set at the launch of the product.

What are the different types of Structured Products?

There are several types of structured products, which, according to us, can be classified into two main families: "Yield" products and "Directional" products.

♦ "Yield" products
Yield products are intended to provide a return, also known as a "Bonus" or "Coupon". "Bonus" or "Coupon". This can be fixed or variable. It can be guaranteed or conditional on the realisation of a market scenario, which will depend on the performance of the underlying. It is paid out on predetermined dates at the time the product is created (which may be monthly, quarterly annual, etc.)(1)


♦ "Directional" products
Directional products are those products that aim to to offer "participation" / "indexation" of the performance of an underlying asset. The investor can thus profit from the rise or fall of an asset. This participation is usually paid out at the maturity of the product.(2)

What about capital protection?

As with any financial investment, structured products carry a risk of capital loss. There are three product profiles for protection capital :

1/ Products the capital of which is guaranteed at maturity: these products guarantee the investor at least the full amount of thecapital capital initially invested, provided that the product is carried to maturity.(3)

2/ Products with capital protection, also known as "barrier" products: they allow the investor to benefit from a protection of the capital initially invested(4) as long the underlying asset has not crossed a threshold, also known as a "barrier", which is determined in advance. - which has been determined in advance. If the barrier is breached the investor suffers a capital loss.

3/ Products without protection: These do not offer protection to the investor in the event of an opposite development of the underlying compared to the anticipated scenario.

Regardless of the type of product protection, its lifetime valuation may fluctuate, depending on day-to-day market parameters. Thus, in the event of resale of the product before its deadline, the investor may suffer a capital loss which may be partial or even total.

What are the benefits and risks associated with Structured Products?


♦ Benefits
-    Structured products can allow a tailor-made approach and help optimize the risk / return ratio. Indeed, it is possible to modulate the product parameters so as to find the right balance between desired return and level of risk accepted by the investor, while taking into account market parameters.

- It is a tool that can facilitate diversification and make it possible to invest in assets that are sometimes not very accessible through traditional instruments.

- Finally, structured products offer, under normal market conditions, daily liquidity provided by the issuer.

♦ Risks

On the other hand, structured products involve certain risks. The main one being the risk of capital loss (which can be partial or total, during the life or at maturity of the product):

- First of all, in the event of the issuer's insolvency (the so-called issuer credit risk), there is a risk that the issuer will not be able to meet its obligations) including for capital guaranteed products. 

- In the event that the anticipated scenario does not occur (e.g. for barrier products, if the barrier products, if the underlying closes below the barrier at maturity).

- Finally, if the product is sold by the investor before maturity by the investor, the resale price depends on the market parameters of the day. Thus, the e amount reimbursed may be less than the amount subscribed(5). Changes in certain underlyings can also significantly amplify changes in the valuation of structured products.

There is also a potential opportunity cost for the client the client: if the anticipated scenario does not occur (e.g. no coupon payment) or if the scenario does materialise but the coupon paid is lower than the return the investor would have received had he invested directly in the invested directly in the underlying.


(1) Provided that the anticipated market scenario realized
(2) Provided that the anticipated market scenario realized
(3) Excluding fees and taxes applicable to the investment framework
(4) Excluding fees and taxes applicable to the investment framework
(5) Excluding fees and taxes applicable to the investment framework

This video is prepared by experts from Société Générale Private Banking France. It provides information on an investment service, a financial product or an insurance product. Its content is not intended to provide an investment service, it does not constitute investment advice or a personalised recommendation on a financial product, nor does it constitute insurance advice or a personalised recommendation, nor does it constitute a solicitation of any kind, nor does it constitute legal, accounting or tax advice from Société Générale Private Banking France.

Its understanding may require the skills necessary to understand the financial markets and to master the financial and economic information it contains. To find out more, please contact your Private Banker and read the full disclaimer at the end of the video.


The information contained in this video is provided for information purposes only, is subject to change without notice, and is intended to provide information that may be useful in making a decision. The information on past performance that may be reproduced in no way guarantees future performance. Société Générale Private Banking France makes no commitment to update or modify this video, which may become obsolete after being viewed.

Before subscribing to an investment service, financial product or insurance product, the potential investor (i) must read all the information contained in the detailed documentation for the service or product in question (document entitled "key information for the investor", prospectus, regulations, articles of association, document entitled "key information for the investor", term sheet, information notice, contractual terms, etc.) (ii) consult its legal and tax advisors to assess the legal consequences and tax treatment of the product or service envisaged. It is reminded that the subscription of an investment service, a financial product or an insurance product may have tax consequences and Société Générale Private Banking France does not provide tax advice. His private banker is also at his disposal to provide him with further information, to determine with him whether he is eligible for the product or service under consideration, which may be subject to conditions, and whether it meets his needs. Consequently, Société Générale Private Banking France cannot be held responsible for any decision taken by an investor based solely on the information contained in this video.

This video may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior written consent of Société Générale Prive Banking France.

In the event that this video is viewed by a non-French tax resident, it will be his or her responsibility to ensure with his or her legal and tax advisors that he or she complies with the legal and regulatory provisions of the relevant jurisdiction. This video is in no way intended for distribution in the United States, nor to/by a U.S. tax resident, nor to/by a person or jurisdiction where such distribution would be restricted or illegal.

This video is confidential, intended exclusively for the person to whom it is given, and may not be communicated or made known to third parties, nor reproduced in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Société Générale Private Banking France.

Societe Generale Group maintains an effective administrative organization that takes all necessary measures to identify, control and manage conflicts of interest. To this end, Societe Generale Private Banking France has put in place a conflict of interest management policy to manage and prevent conflicts of interest. For more details, Société Générale Private Banking France clients may refer to the Conflict of Interest Management Policy available on request from their Private Banker.

Societe Generale Private Banking France has also set up a policy for handling complaints made by its clients, which is available on request from their private banker or on the Societe Generale Private Banking France website.

This video is issued by Société Générale, a French bank authorised and supervised by the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution, located at 4 Place de Budapest, 75436 Paris Cedex 09, under the prudential supervision of the European Central Bank ("ECB") and registered with the ORIAS (orias.fr) as an insurance intermediary under the number 07 022 493 Societe Generale is a French public limited company with a capital of 1 066 714 367,50 euros as of August 1, 2019, whose registered office is located at 29 boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, and whose unique identification number is 552 120 222 R.C.S. Paris. Further details are available on request or at www.privatebanking.societegenerale.com/