Despite selling some retail banks in central and eastern Europe to OTP, mostly in smaller markets, Societe Generale remains heavily involved in financing in this region under its global banking and advisory unit, led in CEE, Middle East and Africa by Denis Stas de Richelle. In Czech Republic and Romania, SocGen’s international banking operations are plugged into its local universal banks. But even as it has sold banks in other countries, it has sought to hold on to its sovereign and corporate clients there. It also enjoys a cooperation agreement with OTP in corporate and investment banking.
CEE’s best bank for financing, SocGen rose to the top of Dealogic’s regional loan bookrunner league table this year. It worked on a variety of loan financings across the region, including that for CETIN, part of a wider batch of work it did for the Czech telecommunications infrastructure company. It also acted as mandated lead arranger, bookrunner and documentation bank on Meridiam’s €296 million acquisition financing for Sofia Airport.
SocGen is a top-tier player in debt capital markets in central and eastern Europe, completing deals for sovereign, corporate and financial institution clients in the period. It is also a leader in sustainable finance. Its green bonds included a €500 million deal for NEPI Rockcastle, an owner and operator of shopping centres in the region; a €700 million issuance for CTPO, another regional real estate player; and a €500 million green bond issuance by Czech Gas Networks.
