And the dynamics of the group is now expressed internationally

Departure before the end of your mandate has surprised many people. Can you explain the circumstances of your resignation

In 2007, when I was re-elected for five years as President of the Confederation of Crédit Mutuel, I said that I would not go at the end of my mandate. I thought during the summer and it seemed to me that I wanted to give my life a new balance between my professional and private activities. It is something that I could not have year last in the context of crisis. But now, Crédit Mutuel is part of a very good dynamic and has posted a good first half. It is a group in good health, and solid, with the best ratio of bank solvency in France. There were also, in my view, a natural succession that would pose no problem in the person of Michel Lucas.

However, some would have liked that the door is more open to any other candidate...

If I had imagined another successor, it would have required a longer process and it is not clear that in six months the circumstances I have described to you are the same. In addition, if another candidate had now intended to appear, he was free to do so, but, honestly, it would have had no chance to win.

Are there things to change in the governance of the Group

I do not think so. In General, Credit Mutuel is a mutualist group very balanced at all levels (local, federations and confederations) between an elected President and a Director General appointed. Apart from the 40,000 employees, it is has more than 24,000 elected by the half-million members, each year, attend our general meetings. In addition, the mutual balance will be preserved with the arrival of Michel Lucas because the functions of Chairman and Managing Director will be always dissociated and Alain Fradin will take the Directorate-General of the Confederation. In this regard, I recalled that Michel Lucas is an elected official, administrator of the local Fund of Kronenbourg in Strasbourg and that as such, the legitimacy provided by the Statute to become President of the Confederation.

From January 1, CM5 - CIC will bring together 10 federations on the 18 in the group. Will this movement continue

It will in any case in the right direction. But my regret is that the Group Crédit Mutuel is more unified than it is today. These groups consist of unitings of technical means, financial, marketing and products that enable the federations of savings infrastructure and consistent management, while maintaining their political autonomy. Also, enable them to be targeted to a larger group, to find better conditions of refinancing markets. A critical element then the current context is the erosion of the margins and bank rates imposed lower proportions that the Government imposes no other profession.

Are other rallies expected

The Federation of Anjou, launched a few weeks ago, a strategic reflection on the possibility of joining CM10-CIC; the decision will be made in June 2011. To my knowledge, the Federation of the Roche-sur-Yon questions also. It will therefore remain the Credit Mutuel Arkéa (Brest, Clermont-Ferrand, Bordeaux), West Indies-Guyana which are very close to Strasbourg and the federations of Lille and Laval on computer systems of Strasbourg.

The creation of BPCE made you lose a rank in the classification of banks in France. What do you think

Crédit Mutuel lost rank, but it has never ceased to win market share. In addition, our objective to reach 20 market share is not far away. Credits, we are 18. And the dynamics of the group is now expressed internationally.

You have recently reconciled to Dexia in a technical agreement on the France. Could this lead to a reconciliation of greater magnitude for the Crédit Mutuel

Dexia was looking for a new partner to replace the credit du Nord, provided up to now these services from 2012. More generally, the idea of partnerships in France is not excluded, Bank, insurance, technology. But, with respect to external growth, we're looking rather beyond the borders.

What balance are you getting your development abroad

It is still a little early to take stock. The image of what we have done with the CIC, we will continue to develop Targo Bank in Germany by diversifying its services to a wider range. Abroad now represents 25 of CM5 - CIC Bank net proceeds and 17 of the Crédit Mutuel group. This share must rise naturally, including Spain and Eastern Europe.

What will you do now

I will be President of honour without more no operational function within the group. But I will retain a mission on mutual issues and cooperative movements in France and abroad. For the rest, I did not have time to think, but I have still some tracks...