In the 1880-1890s, the Group joined a banking syndicate that issued the famous Russian state bonds in France. Société Générale’s share in the French stake of the syndicate amounted to 15%. At the same time, Société Générale developed numerous financial projects in Russia: the Group supported start-up companies by covering part of their initial risks, and made considerable investments in coal-mining and metallurgy, industries which were rapidly expanding at the time.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Group could be proud of the success of its investment activities in Russia. However, Société Générale's greatest achievements in the Russian Empire came under the banner of the Russo-Asian Bank. Before the beginning of the 20th century, Société Générale succeeded in being very active on the Russian market without a local representative office. In 1901, seeking to expand its activities in the country, the Group established a subsidiary in St. Petersburg under the name North Bank. Ten years later, following a merger with the Russo-Chinese Bank, it became the Russo-Asian Bank.

A key player from the beginning of the 20th century

By 1912, with Russia's largest branch network, expertise and professional skills brought in from France, and the substantial clientele of both the North and the Russo-Chinese banks, Russo-Asian Bank had become one of Russia’s leading banks. In 1914, it was already the country's number one bank. Russo-Asian Bank's total assets, as of 1914, amounted to 624 million rubles, corresponding to around 14% of the total volume of assets of all Russian commercial banks.

A significant role in the development of economic relations between Europe and Asia

In and around 1910, the Russo-Asian Bank played a significant role in the development of economic relations between Europe and Asia. The Bank’s activities helped boost trade between the two continents, and Russia started to gain its niche on Asian markets. However, Russo-Asian Bank was involved not only in banking, but also in commercial operations, on a commission basis. The Bank financed silk and grain exports and tea imports from China. It also financed cross-border trade operations in silver. Investments were made in various industries including the military, oil and tobacco sectors. The Bank issued state and city bonds.

Russo-Asian Bank: successful results until 1917

On the basis of the results generated by the Russo-Asian Bank's activities, Société Générale would be well-founded in celebrating this success. The Bank, established at the Group’s initiative just 12 years previously, successfully achieved 4/5 of its own balance. For example, the volume of deposits placed and loans granted by Russo-Asian Bank accounted for around 81% of the Group's total deposits and credits.

The Russo-Asian Bank became a symbol of the Russian economy's dynamic growth in the early 20th century, and an icon of the very promising international cooperation that was suspended following the drastic changes in the country's political and economic landscape in 1917.

1973: the comeback

In 1973, Société Générale group came back to Russia and established its representative office in Moscow. Following the liberalization of the 1990s, the banking group was able to set up a subsidiary in Russia.

• Banque Société Générale Vostok began operations in 1993 and was one of the first foreign banks to receive a general license by the Central Bank.
• In 2003, BSGV became a universal bank – the first branches were opened and BSGV launched services for individual clients. During the same period, BSGV subsidiary "BSGV Leasing" was established.
• In 2004, broadening its presence in Russia, Société Générale group established two new subsidiaries, Rusfinance and ALD Automotive.
• In 2005, it bought out DeltaCredit bank.
• In 2006, another subsidiary, SG Equipment Finance Russia, was established.
• Société Générale Insurance entered the Russian market in 2006 with the aim of supporting the development of all SG Group entities.
• In 2006, following the completion of two transactions, the Group acquired a 20% stake minus one share in Rosbank. An option for the acquisition of 30% plus 2 shares was also arranged, for completion before the end of 2008. The transaction took place in February 2008. In May 2009 Société Générale additionally purchased 7% shares in Rosbank from its Russian partner, Interros, and increased its total stake to 64.7%. During the year 2010 Société Générale's total stake in Rosbank came to 74.8%.
• In February 2010 shareholders made an agreement to consolidate Rosbank and other Societe Generale Russian entities. 
• In January 2011 Rusfinance Bank and DeltaCredit became 100% daughter companies of Rosbank.
• In July 2011 the merge of Rosbank and BSGV was completed. New joint Rosbank is the largest international financial structure in the Russian market.