Brest, March 7, 2024 - On the occasion of International Women's Rights Day, Crédit Mutuel Arkéa, the only European banking group co-led by two women, announces the establishment of a gender-balanced Executive Committee, reflecting several years of proactive efforts towards a sustainable feminization of its key positions.

Co-led since 2020 by Hélène Bernicot, CEO, and Anne Le Goff, Deputy CEO, the group has been undergoing a profound transformation of its culture and processes for several years to achieve a lasting balance in gender representation across all professions and hierarchical levels. While no women were part of the group's Executive Committee in 2016, it now comprises four women and four men:

• Hélène Bernicot, CEO;
• Anne Le Goff, Deputy CEO;
• Elisabeth Quellec, Director of the Retail Customer Division;
• Véronique Crouzier, Director of Dynamics and Human Relations;
• Bertrand Blanpain, Director of the Corporate and Institutional Division;
• Thomas Guyot, Director of the Products Division;
• Laurent Jurrius, Director of the Innovation and Operations Division;
• Frédéric Diverrez, Director of the BtoB and Specialized Services Division.

Elisabeth Quellec's appointment as head of the Retail Customer Division (which covers the networks of the Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne and Crédit Mutuel du Sud-Ouest federations, the online banks Fortuneo and Keytrade Bank (Belgium), as well as the Marketing and Customer & Advisor Operations departments) last December made Crédit Mutuel Arkéa the only banking group led by two women with a strictly gender-balanced Executive Committee.

A Long-term Ambition

Beyond the numbers, it is the result of a proactive policy integrated into the group's overall strategy, such as the "Mission Diversity" launched in 2016. Based on a collaborative and inclusive approach, a hallmark of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa, it has had a concrete impact on both corporate culture and work organization. Nearly 440 employees, almost half of whom are men, have embarked on an unprecedented and pioneering approach as Diversity ambassadors to assess the barriers and levers to gender diversity in each entity and subsidiary of the group. They have also implemented and led a one-day training program, "All Inclusive," to exchange ideas and raise awareness among all employees about gender-related discrimination and stereotypes. Today, more than 300 Diversity ambassadors, grouped into 20 embassies, continue to animate this ongoing cultural initiative with dynamism and conviction.

Addressing Everyday Challenges

Based on consolidated assessments, the group has developed an action plan to address six main obstacles, including self-censorship, lack of networking, everyday sexism, and maternity leave announcement. This action plan has led, among other things, to adapting work organization and career support.
Greater flexibility has been introduced into work organization to facilitate the balance between personal and professional life: adjusted hours, chosen part-time, telework, or co-constructed hybrid work. Strong support for parenthood has been decided, with an extension of two weeks of maternity leave, as well as the introduction since 2021 of a "second parent leave" of 42 days with 100% net salary retention, a measure that goes beyond legal requirements.

A specific career management program, called "Boostons les potentielles" (Boosting Potential), has also been implemented to detect talents and support them throughout their careers. During the recruitment phase, Crédit Mutuel Arkéa pays particular attention to female profiles. The group has firmly committed to reducing gender pay gaps. Succession plans for senior executives aim to systematically identify a female candidate in addition to a male candidate where appropriate.

The results of these proactive initiatives are significant. The group has 38% of women in executive and management positions, compared to only 18% in 2016. The increase in the number of female branch directors and territorial unit directors is also significant, as they now represent 46% in these roles, compared to only 30% in 2016. The gender equality index is 94/100.

An Engagement Beyond the Internal

True to its territorial and societal commitment, Crédit Mutuel Arkéa also carries its values outside the company to spread them within its ecosystem. This ambition has materialized through strategic partnerships with the Diversity Observatory within the Responsible Capitalism Institute or with the ENSTA Bretagne engineering school on student mentoring.
The road to real gender equality between women and men is still long. The successful experience of the group on gender diversity now paves the way for a comprehensive strategy of diversity and inclusion, for a bank that is ever more responsible, supportive, and high-performing. In 2023, Crédit Mutuel Arkéa conducted a Diversity and Inclusion diagnosis among its employees to get their perspectives on these topics within the group. The results of this diagnosis have enriched its Inclusion roadmap to launch new concrete actions this year on the seven identified priority dimensions: gender, age, health, origins, family situation, or sexual orientation.

"Reflecting the richness and diversity of society within Crédit Mutuel Arkéa is at the heart of our concerns. The group has been committed for ten years to a long-term policy promoting women to leadership positions and building more balanced teams. The establishment of a gender-balanced executive committee, including our two female executives, Hélène Bernicot and Anne Le Goff, the only female duo at the helm of a bank in Europe, is a clear illustration of this proactive policy, which is long-term and affects both our executive teams and our boards of directors. Beyond gender diversity, the issue of diversity and inclusion is a fundamental subject on which we will continue to engage on a daily basis."

Julien Carmona, President of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa -

"The financial sector is at the heart of future economic, ecological, and social transitions. All talents are necessary to meet these immense challenges. At Crédit Mutuel Arkéa, we are deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. We firmly believe that equal opportunities and a balanced representation of women in leadership positions are not only a matter of social justice but also a lever for performance and innovation. Giving women their rightful place within the company broadens our perspective, allowing us to better support our clients and stakeholders."

Hélène Bernicot, CEO of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa -

"If the feminization of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa's leadership positions stands out today in the financial sector, it is thanks to the mobilization of all actors within the company for many years. Established in 2016, the 'Mission Diversity' has allowed us to act on both our culture and our processes, benefiting everyone. Beyond being able to now boast a gender-balanced executive committee and better representation of women at all hierarchical levels of the company, we remain committed on a daily basis to continue our work in favor of gender diversity, diversity, and inclusion."

Anne Le Goff, Deputy CEO of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa -