Societe Generale Overview help
Hello,
My first post here so please excuse any faux pas.
I have two interviews for SocGen coming up in the next two weeks, my first is in Trade Support (operations) and my second is for Electronic Trading - both trainee positions.
I have been researching SocGen for the interview but I was wondering whether anybody could share their research and knowledge with me in an overview/summary? I have established a lot about SocGen but obviously do not want to miss anything - and in most cases the collective knowledge on here can be invaluable.
Thank you guys,
TBG
socgen? (Originally Posted: 09/28/2010)
Does anybody have any insight on Societe Generale? Culture, strengths, what makes them unique?
For what location and position is this?
probably NY, 1st year analyst, I'm wondering this as well
Their traders take great initiative
Most of their bankers speak french. No joke, I was walking outside of their, or one of their buildings, in NYC and they all spoke french.
Interviewed with them a few months ago. The French dominate the bank where probably over 50%. is French. I was told that they're slowly starting to diversify and bring in some non-French employees.
I interviewed with 4 people. First was a French bitch who really grilled me on my internships,2nd was with 2 analysts which was entirely behaviorial, and then met with a Trader who barely spoke English - behavioral/technical.
I wouldn't work there just because in general - I don't like the French. It also seems like there's a French ceiling and I don't like the idea that the dominate language at the bank is NOT English. Good place to help you move somewhere else though. Best of luck.
Just to add on. SocGen (just like BNP) is typically French.
If you're entering at the analyst level, do not work in Europe and are not French, the following probably applies (at least for S&T):
Expect a highly technical environment - from interviews to your job, expect a fair amount of stuff to be rather quant (ie. know your stuff well, do not expect to win too many friends if you're mathematically mediocre but aspire to compensate for it by being likable on the desk). The trade-off here is, the technical training you receive is going to be top class and well respected by the industry at large (read: easier to land plump exit opps into the more illustrious BB's, which is probably what matters since the gulf in comp would be greater at the more senior levels).
The pay would usually be a notch below the BB's - they're not pathetic, but won't be as competitive.
It's not a place to build a career - as with Japanese banks, the glass ceiling is unmistakably clear if you're not French.
In short, if you get an offer, stick it out for your analyst stint and you should do well thereafter...
Agreed, SocGen has a decent global platform, very much like BNP. Both are growing, but still do not have the BB title quite yet.
what about IBD?
thanks for all the input. the position is for nyc investment banking.
If you don't mind me asking, how did you go about getting the interview? Also, is this for FT or SA?
it's for full time and i got it through ocr
Does socgen has a (summer) internship in amsterdam?
What about credit agricole , is not that also a french bank , anybody care to give some insight on that ?
Credit Agricole's IB division is like 4 people.
SocGen (Originally Posted: 03/05/2009)
I was just wondering how Societe Generale is considered in comparison to other banks. Would a freshman year internship at SocGen look good and be beneficial when applying for future internships?
dude...YES. any internship is good for frosh (okay, i guess not flipping burgers, heck even that, why not?)
Btw... I'm at an Ivy League target and I know kids with internships at BBs this year. Any other comments appreciated.
internships at BBs in IBD, or PWM?
if IBD, I honestly don't believe you, given that recruiters are taking so few from each school. I know two 4.0s at HYP that aren't getting in.
Networking is nice, but it doesn't open up slots that banks simply don't have.
That said, it's hard to imagine why you're asking if Societe Generale would open up doors. Easy yes, this sounds like a self-congratulatory thread.
You'll be pretty well-positioned, especially if you perform well.
IBD. I am not lying though. That is why I am asking... I have been looking at this site for a while and nobody ever mentions SocGen so I didn't know how it stood.
Can I ask how?
From people I know, banks are taking maybe 4-5 from target schools. With so many juniors interested, who probably have prior banking experience as well, taking a freshman is unrealistic; plus they have no chance of retaining you for full-time, so training is a waste. Right now they have the chance to obtain talent that would otherwise go to MS/GS in better times, and there are so many on the market.
But I don't know you, I guess.
SocGen isn't mentioned mostly because it's much more reputable in Europe, with the bulk of clients and deals overseas. The majority of people on this forum are looking for positions in NY.
It's a good bank though, and recruiters will at least recognize the name later on.
great trading opportunities there ;)
you'd be crazy to turn down an ib gig at socgen at a freshman
is this a serious question? apparently socgen doesnt look for street smarts as well as book smarts. who the hell asks this kind of question as a fucking freshman in this economy? Do we think SocGen will be beneficial? No, it would be a horrible decision. As a freshman, you should be heading up the IBD at Goldman Sachs or playing the main role in the BoA ML merger. HR will laugh at such an experience..SocGen as a freshman..pssshhh what a joke!
I'm curious what other people's thoughts are on SG. How is the reputation of its NY offices?
I don't think they really do that many deals in the US, mainly Europe. Cowen was their main US unit until 2006 when they spun it off....weren't doing great before the spinoff - I can't imagine their doing that great now. But for a freshman gig it would be pretty legit.
On an unrelated and not serious note, I worked in the SoGen building during my SA...serious euro culture...ie no one does work and they lounge around the expresso machine all day (literally)....my vp always joked haha no wonder they had billions in loses and a rogue trader hahahah
In the UK? They are 2nd tier. They are okayish in equities, but that's more due to the funky French law that allows pretty much everyone there to trade derivatives. Personally, I wouldn't rank them even in the top 15 in terms of general prestige, and I am surprised at how popular they are in the US. But as opportunities go, you should take them. With SocGen on your CV you should be able to leverage that and get a BB sophomore offer.
Just my 2c.
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