Crédit Agricole named best bank in France 2024

At a ceremony in London, The Banker, part of the Financial Times group, revealed the winners of its Bank of the Year Awards 2024. The rankings are based on analysis of banks’ strategic initiatives, technological progress and product and service innovation.

For the second consecutive year, Crédit Agricole was named Best Bank in France.

The jury was drawn to several initiatives including the acquisition in July 2023 of the European asset servicing activities of the Royal Bank of Canada, as well as its operational centre in Malaysia, which has enabled CACEIS to join the ranks of the world leaders in asset servicing and position itself as the number one player in Europe. In terms of technology, the service platform for asset managers, retail banks, wealth management banks and insurers, Fund Channel, has experienced a real strategic turning point, moving from a back office service for two French banks to a fully open platform for 600 asset managers, 100 distributors in 15 countries and 4 countries in Europe and Asia.

Two major payment-related innovations for individual and business customers were also highlighted. Crédit Agricole Payment Services has launched Serenipay, a payment card that, by allowing customers to hear the payment process or view the amount and payment process in large font on their mobile phone, has made purchasing accessible to everyone. With the mobile payment solution Up2pay, Crédit Agricole also offers retailers the option to transform a smartphone into a mobile payment terminal.

Other commended achievements include: Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring’s announcement in 2023 of its intention to establish its Olinn subsidiary (acquired in 2021) as the leading player in the socially-responsible financing and management of professional equipment by incorporating a circular economy approach.

Lastly, to contribute to the energy transition and improve access to healthcare and ageing well, the two new dedicated business lines, Crédit Agricole Transitions & Énergies and Crédit Agricole Santé & Territoires, helped the Group to stand out.

These various themes were submitted to the judging panel as examples of the strength of the universal banking model and the ever-expanding range of services made available to Crédit Agricole’s customers, as well as its commitment to supporting the societal and environmental transitions.

Pascal Colin, Chief Operating Officer of Crédit Agricole S.A., and Paul Feutry, Chief Risk Officer of Crédit Agricole S.A., represented the Group at the prize-giving ceremony in London.