Slawomir Krupa

Slawomir Krupa
Slawomir Krupa in 2025
Slawomir Krupa
Born	18 6, 1974
Birthplace	Burgas, Bulgaria
Nationality	French
Occupation	Banker, business executive
Known for	CEO of Société Générale (2023–present); Chairman of the European Banking Federation (2025–present)
Education	Sciences Po
Spouse(s)	Magdalena
Children	1

Slawomir Krupa (born June 18, 1974) is a French banker and business executive who has served as the chief executive officer of Société Générale, one of France's largest banking groups, since May 2023. Born in Burgas, Bulgaria, Krupa built his career almost entirely within Société Générale, rising through the ranks over more than two decades before being appointed to lead the institution. Since assuming the top role, he has embarked on an ambitious restructuring programme aimed at reducing costs, improving profitability, and repositioning the bank competitively within the European financial landscape. His tenure has been marked by significant cost-cutting measures, including large-scale job reductions in France, as well as operational changes such as stricter return-to-office policies. In January 2025, Krupa assumed the chairmanship of the European Banking Federation, adding a pan-European leadership role to his responsibilities. Krupa has spoken publicly about the importance of resilience in banking, the need for European financial institutions to remain competitive globally, and the role of risk-taking in innovation.

Early Life

Slawomir Krupa was born on June 18, 1974, in Burgas, a city on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. Details regarding his family background and upbringing remain limited in public sources. Krupa eventually settled in France, where he pursued his higher education and began his professional career in banking. He holds French nationality.

In an interview with the Sciences Po American Foundation, Krupa reflected on his personal journey and the values that shaped his career, stating that "there is no true success without staying true to yourself." This remark has been interpreted as a reference to his experience navigating different cultures and institutions during his formative years and early career.

Education

Krupa was educated at Sciences Po (the Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris), one of France's most selective institutions for the social sciences and public affairs. Sciences Po is known for producing many of France's business leaders, diplomats, and senior government officials. The institution has featured Krupa among its notable alumni and has highlighted his career trajectory as an example of the professional paths available to its graduates.

Career

Early Career at Société Générale

Krupa spent the vast majority of his professional career at Société Générale, joining the bank and advancing through a series of increasingly senior positions over more than two decades. He gained extensive experience in the bank's corporate and investment banking operations, which became his primary area of expertise. Over time, he held leadership positions across multiple geographies, giving him broad exposure to international banking markets.

His career trajectory took him to the United States, where he spent a significant period working in New York, managing parts of Société Générale's American operations. This international experience, particularly in one of the world's largest financial centres, contributed to his understanding of global capital markets and cross-border banking.

Before his appointment as CEO, Krupa served as the head of Société Générale's Global Banking and Investor Solutions (GBIS) division, the bank's corporate and investment banking arm. This role placed him in charge of one of the institution's most significant revenue-generating units and positioned him as a leading candidate for the top executive role.

Appointment as CEO of Société Générale

On September 30, 2022, Société Générale's board of directors announced that Slawomir Krupa had been chosen to succeed Frédéric Oudéa as chief executive officer of the group. The transition took effect on May 23, 2023, following formal approval at the bank's annual general meeting.

Krupa inherited a bank that faced several structural challenges. Société Générale, one of France's three largest banks alongside BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole, had underperformed its peers in terms of share price and profitability in the years preceding his appointment. The bank's cost base was considered high relative to its revenues, and its investment banking division had experienced periods of volatility. Additionally, the institution had absorbed significant losses related to its withdrawal from the Russian market following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Turnaround Strategy and Cost Reductions

Upon taking office, Krupa launched a comprehensive turnaround strategy focused on cost discipline, operational efficiency, and a sharpened strategic focus. The plan involved significant restructuring across the bank's operations, with particular emphasis on reducing expenses in its French domestic operations and streamlining its investment banking activities.

In January 2026, Société Générale announced plans to eliminate 1,800 positions in France by the end of 2027 as part of Krupa's ongoing cost-cutting programme. The Financial Times reported that investors had begun to reward the turnaround effort, with the bank's share price showing improvement as the cost reductions took hold.

By October 2025, the financial results were beginning to reflect the impact of Krupa's strategy. Bloomberg reported that Société Générale beat profit and capital expectations, with the headline noting that "Krupa's cost cuts bear fruit." The bank reported improvements in its capital strength, though it held off on announcing a share buyback despite the positive results.

Return-to-Office Policy and Employee Relations

One of the more publicly discussed aspects of Krupa's leadership has been his approach to workplace policies, particularly regarding remote work. In June 2025, Krupa ordered Société Générale staff to return to the office four days per week, reducing the previous allowance of two days of remote work per week to just one. The Financial Times reported that the decision prompted immediate pushback from employees.

The policy change was part of a broader effort by Krupa to foster a more intensive workplace culture, though it generated criticism internally. The financial news site eFinancialCareers reported that French bank employees complained they were "being worked like Americans for lower pay," highlighting the cultural tensions surrounding the shift.

By February 2026, Bloomberg reported that employee morale at Société Générale had declined as the turnaround programme continued to take its toll on staff. While Krupa had succeeded in convincing investors of his restructuring plan, the report noted that "he still has some work to do to persuade his staff." The tension between investor approval and employee dissatisfaction has emerged as one of the defining dynamics of Krupa's tenure as CEO.

Views on Banking and Risk

Krupa has articulated a philosophy of banking that emphasises the necessity of risk-taking and the dangers of excessive caution. Speaking at an event organised by the Czech Banking Association, he stated that "zero risk means death," arguing that the resilience of banks should not be the only target of European regulators and policymakers. He has advocated for a regulatory environment that balances financial stability with the ability of banks to support economic growth and innovation across Europe.

In a discussion hosted by Société Générale's wholesale banking division, Krupa reflected on the future of banking, discussing themes such as generational change in the industry, the evolving role of technology, and the need for European banks to compete effectively on a global stage.

Chairmanship of the European Banking Federation

In 2025, Krupa became the chairman (president) of the European Banking Federation (EBF), the body representing the European banking sector at the continental level. The EBF represents some 3,500 banks across Europe, and the chairmanship is one of the most prominent leadership positions in European finance.

In an interview with the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland, Krupa discussed his priorities for the EBF, including the competitiveness of European banks, the regulatory landscape, and the role of the banking sector in financing the European economy's transition to a more sustainable model. His assumption of this role placed him at the centre of policy discussions regarding the future direction of European banking regulation and the sector's response to challenges including digitalisation, geopolitical uncertainty, and climate-related financial risks.

He has also been reported to serve as chairman of the French Banking Federation, a national-level role that complements his European responsibilities.

Personal Life

Slawomir Krupa is married to Magdalena, and the couple has one child. Krupa maintains a relatively private personal life, with limited information available in public sources about his family or activities outside of his professional roles.

In his public remarks, Krupa has emphasised the importance of authenticity and personal values in professional life. In an interview with the Sciences Po American Foundation, he stated that "there is no true success without staying true to yourself," a philosophy he has described as central to his approach to leadership.

Krupa's background — born in Bulgaria, educated in France, and with significant professional experience in the United States — has given him a multicultural perspective that he has brought to his roles at Société Générale and the European Banking Federation.

Recognition

Krupa's appointment as CEO of Société Générale in 2023 was itself a notable event within the European banking sector, as he became one of the few executives of Eastern European origin to lead a major Western European bank. His subsequent appointment as chairman of the European Banking Federation in 2025 further elevated his profile within the industry.

The financial press has given significant coverage to his turnaround strategy at Société Générale. The Financial Times published a detailed profile in early 2026 under the headline "How SocGen dragged itself back from the brink," examining the impact of his leadership on the bank's financial trajectory. Bloomberg's reporting on the bank's improved financial results in October 2025 credited Krupa's cost-cutting measures for the improvement in profit and capital metrics.

His public speeches and interviews, including his remarks on risk and regulation at the Czech Banking Association and his reflections on the future of banking through Société Générale's own platforms, have contributed to his visibility as a commentator on European financial policy.

Legacy

As of early 2026, Krupa's tenure as CEO of Société Générale remains ongoing, making a definitive assessment of his legacy premature. However, the early trajectory of his leadership has established several themes that are likely to define how his period at the helm of the bank is evaluated.

His willingness to pursue aggressive cost reductions, including the elimination of 1,800 jobs in France, has marked a departure from the more cautious approach of his predecessors and has been credited by investors with improving the bank's financial outlook. At the same time, the impact on employee morale and workplace culture has raised questions about the sustainability of the turnaround if staff engagement continues to decline.

Krupa's dual role as CEO of one of Europe's largest banks and chairman of the European Banking Federation has placed him in a position to influence both the strategic direction of Société Générale and the broader policy environment in which European banks operate. His advocacy for a regulatory framework that permits greater risk-taking and supports economic growth reflects a perspective shared by a number of European banking leaders who have argued that overly conservative regulation risks undermining the sector's competitiveness relative to American and Asian rivals.

The outcome of his turnaround programme at Société Générale, and particularly whether it can achieve both improved financial performance and a motivated workforce, will be a central factor in determining his long-term impact on European banking.