Public transport loans
Financing public transport is an important axis for development for Société Générale, not just in France but also abroad.
Its participation in various initiatives clearly reflects its desire to assist local authorities in developing means of transport that better respect the environment. The different teams in charge of equipment and infrastructure financing have been set very high objectives. A number of initiatives are already planned for 2010 and should reinforce the bank's dominant presence in this field.
In France, Société Générale financed the new regional express trains (TER) in the Centre region (€ 200 million) in 2009, and, in 2010, intends to reply to the calls for bids that will be issued by various districts and agglomerations as part of the numerous tramway projects underway. In Germany, the Group set up the financing for a fleet of regional trains in Westphalia (North Rhine), not only as a lender but also as an investor in a new service that will improve the public transport network. In 2010, Société Générale is set to take part in a range of similar projects (financing of a fleet of regional trains for a Danish operator, trains for a regional network in North Germany), and will be replying to future calls for bids once the restructuring of rail transport into concessions is complete.
