Valeurs mutualistes et politique RSE : le cas des banques coopératives françaises / Mutualist values and CSR policy: the case of French cooperative banks

The research work carried out as part of my doctoral thesis aims to contribute to the literature on the cooperative governance model, particularly that of French cooperative banking groups. We delve into the cases of Groupe Crédit Agricole and BPCE (Banques populaires et Caisses d’Epargne). The ongoing transformations within the banking sector, driven by digital and climate ambitions, compel cooperative banks to change. These banks also seek additional strength in their cooperative identity to bolster credibility in communicating environmental issues, maintain territorial and relational proximity, and reconcile the multichannel « phygital » (physical and digital) relationship with the imperatives of economic sustainability. These transformations gain momentum under the influence of European regulations that impose increased transparency on environmental footprints. Simultaneously, these developments underscore the necessity to devise new approaches for assessing the risks of assets and portfolios by integrating them into the calculations of climatic risks. Our central question is: « What advantages do cooperatives of mutual banking groups have in addressing climate issues, CSR challenges, and technological evolution in their territories? » To answer this question, our research is guided by three axes: 1. Ethics and social and environmental responsibility; 2. The digital; 3. Climatic risk. Our observations lead us to the conclusion that banks can strengthen their relationships with territories, enhance proximity to the most innovative environments (startups), and harmonize their climate ambitions with economic needs to sustain the necessary level of profitability for the long-term sustainability of their activities.