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Thierry Martel speaks for the first time since his arrival eventful last October at the head of Groupama. This 48-year polytechnic has climbed the ladder of mutual group. He was propelled to the Managing Director following the sudden ouster of Jean Azema, in the fall. The new boss is going to present the annual results in heavy losses, marked by a series of writedowns on Greece and its major shareholdings, including Societe Generale and Veolia. To strengthen the solvency of the group, the leader began a series of disposals. It is expected to announce in the coming weeks than EUROCOURTAGE, one of the nuggets of the group. After years of rapid growth and acquisitions at high prices paid, Groupama will focus on its business heart.

LE FIGARO. – You have taken the lead on Groupama end of October. How do you assess the state of the group?

Thierry Martel. – The economic fundamentals are very solid group. We also present a very good operating results in 2011. However, it should be expected, due to the fall in equity markets in the second half of 2011 and our high exposure to the Greek crisis, to a net loss. But our level of liquidity has not suffered, it is even exceptionally high.

Can you detail these impairments?

The Greek crisis will have cost us just over 2 billion euros. Moreover, the fall in equity markets in the second half in 2011 has weighed up to 1.2 billion in securities and Societe Generale to the tune of 600 million euros for the stake in Veolia, which experienced a low in December 31, 2011 . That said, just since January 1, 2012, our securities portfolios have taken 2 billion euros.

You have announced your intention to sell EUROCOURTAGE and your UK business. Where are you?

Both operations are progressing smoothly. Several candidates have emerged and are currently in the data room. As expected, the name of the buyer EUROCOURTAGE be announced in March. The divestiture will occur then British.

Are you concerned that the action of the minority, who consider themselves injured by the transaction price, call into question the sale of Silic to the Deposit (CDC)?

No, I have every confidence in the success of this operation. The reconciliation between Icade and Silic is a great industrial success. The price at which we sold our interest is the market price, as demonstrated by studies experts.

Your accounts at the end of December would they have been approved by your supervisory authority without funding from the CDC?

Yes, our solvency at 31 December was above the legal limit without the operation of EUROCOURTAGE payday loan lenders. I heard of a "rescue" of Groupama: it makes no sense. The operations we have conducted with the CDC are primarily industrial operations that create value for both Groupama for the CDC.

To what extent do your customers have been affected by your financial difficulties?

Not only do our customers have remained loyal, but we increased our market share in our core businesses in 2011, thanks to excellent business results. Our 16 million members and customers have always been central to our priorities. Our financial losses they have not been passed: we will absorb them through our own funds.

How do you steer Groupama?

This crisis makes me put more than ever before in our mutual values: transparency vis-à-vis members and elected officials who represent them, sharing strategic decisions with regional banks, prudent risk management, commitment to dialogue Social. Confidence is the key to success is the reason why I will travel to many general meetings of regional banks to engage directly with members of the group's orientations.

And on a more operational?

I want to focus on Groupama markets where it has strong positions and the most profit potential. In France, we continue our strategy of global financial player in insurance and banking because we believe in the synergy of these commercial activities. In addition, we will complete in 2014 the convergence of all regional banks on the same information system, which will lower our costs. The Group has the widest range of offers, services and distribution channels. My ambition is to run at full capacity this great economic machine.

Precisely, do you have to tighten the savings plan announced in October?

We will refine and accelerate but overall we remain on the plan announced in the fall, that is to say 400 million euros in savings, by 2014. Meanwhile, we reinforce our policy of controlling technical risk is an essential factor in the outcome. Let's be clear: even at the height of the crisis last fall, employment has never been for us an adjustment variable.

Continue you always plan to become one of the top ten European insurers?

No, this is no longer a goal. Similarly, we decided to stop the proposed listing of the group. We are moving from a strategy of size to a performance strategy that will enable us to further strengthen our solvency.

After S & P, this could be the turn of Moody's rating of degrading of France. The rating agency had announced last month that it had extended its review of the stable outlook of the Hexagon last night finally decided to lower its outlook to negative while maintaining the Aaa rating, the highest possible. In other words, the U.S. opens the way for a possible deterioration of the country in the coming months. The French Minister of Economy Baroin said "take note" of the decision of the agency.

And France is not the only country: Great Britain and Austria have suffered the same fate. The British Finance Minister George Osborne said that "this is proof that in the present world situation, Britain can not help but care for his debt."

Note of Spain lowered by two notches

Moody's explains that "a number of particular pressures on credit balances exacerbate the sensitivity of these rulers." Moody's also said she hopes to "reflect the sensitivity (the countries concerned) to macroeconomic and financial risks from the growing crisis in the euro area."

Worse, the agency downgraded notes of Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Malta by one notch and two notches that of Spain payday loan. And perspectives of these six countries remain negative "given the continued uncertainty regarding the financing conditions in the next few quarters and its corresponding impact on the quality of the signature," said Moody's.

Six European countries are certain to keep their AAA

But she said that the magnitude of downgrades is limited because "the authorities' commitment to preserve the European monetary union and to implement all reforms necessary to restore market confidence."

It also confirmed the preliminary rating of AAA European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) and AAA ratings assigned to Denmark, Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden. 

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As of March 1, homosexual employees of the operator SFR will be eligible for paternity leave, like any heterosexual spouse. Eleven days will therefore be available to lesbians and gay employees of the company, whose partner had a child. This decision was taken by Marie-Christine Theron, Director General Human Resources SFR, after an interview Jan. 31 with HomoSFèRe, the association of lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender group SFR.

The company can do better than the law

Informal meeting at the request of the association, it was that first issue of commitments around the fight against discrimination, to establish for May 17 at the International Day of struggle against homophobia. Then, referring to leave "paternity" for lesbians, claim already before the Board equal professional women / men in November 2011, the DHR has accepted this request, it has even extended to gay fathers.

"This is a first for the association gratefully acknowledges the general direction of SFR for this spirit of openness and dialogue," enthuses HomoSFèRe. "The company can always do better than the law says Marie-Christine Theron. Our company is very proactive on diversity and equality in the workplace. With 20 million customers, I think it is this diversity in our staff. "

She said the gay community is not especially important in the group but "accede to this request was consistent with a normal evolution of our society, so why refuse it?" She asked.

The social partners have already "given their approval," commented the director of HR. The end of negotiations is under way and the social benefit might even be born as this February.

Company margins have never been so high, companies are full of cash, they were debt-free … and yet their share price despair managers. Some values, such as Peugeot, Air France and Lafarge are at their lowest for 20 years. "Since 1990, the profits of European companies have more than doubled, while the PE (valuations on the stock exchange), declined. But will there for years or decades to return to normalcy "asks Jacques Burlot, manager" action "Tocqueville Finance. The management company is nevertheless optimistic about business conditions. "Their margins may decline, but not collapse.There are of course cycles, but historically each drop, the level reached is higher than the previous "says Nelly Davies, also manager at Tocqueville, which lists all the supporting factors that benefit companies: inflation remains low, interest rates are at their lowest, the cost can be further reduced through outsourcing, wage inflation is zero and productivity gains have not been completed payday loans. However, managers are careful Tocqueville predicted a bright future for investors. "Trying to predict the future is a waste of time. Remember Goldman Sachs, which in March 2008 predicted oil at $ 200 a barrel at the end of the year. He had fallen to 50 dollars "they ironically. What to do? Forget the computer screens, and visit the companies consider their strategy, the quality of their management.

• Incidents in Rome

Tens of thousands of demonstrators, inspired by the "outrage" of Wall Street and Spain, marched on Saturday in Rome, the city had been cordoned off by police. "One solution, the Revolution!", "We are not property in the hands of bankers," could be read on the signs of the protesters payday loans for bad credit.

In Rome, several cars were torched. Photo credits: ALBERTO PIZZOLI / AFP

How to help her children buy a home? Faced with soaring prices of the stone, more and more parents are wondering. For young people without a little help family, buy a property is often difficult. But the stone is more than ever the key to any well-constructed assets.

A DONATION as a financing

With the recent reform of the taxation of wealth, each parent can give full tax-free, but every ten years now, up to € 159,325 (reduction in force in 2011) to each child or € 318,650 for a couple . And if the child is an adult, he took advantage of an additional allowance of 31 € .865 (per parent under 80 years), allowing it in the end, even in the capital, to acquire a lovely pied-a -land …A strategy that offers the advantage of not "inflate" its own property portfolio, since it is your child immediately becomes sole owner of the property. Thus, it can allow parents to avoid the wealth tax if the value of their taxable net wealth falls short of 1.3 million euros, or to play down if it does not exceed 3 million euros.

This approach has its drawbacks, however. "A coming of age, the child who has de facto full ownership, may sell at any time, even if the parents object," says Brillat Michel, director of engineering heritage of the EU Financial France. To "block any attempt inappropriate," Louis Aussedat, notary Althémis Network, advises the inclusion in the deed of gift, and in the deed of purchase, a prohibition to alienate.This provision makes the sale to the agreement of parents.

Know that it is still quite possible to do this for the benefit of a minor, but we must in this case the approval of the guardianship court. And while the child is under 18, the slot is part of global real estate portfolio of his parents, with possible consequences in terms of ISF.

To a lesser extent, if you own a home savings plan, you can send your borrowing rights to your child, provided that it is itself the holder of such a plan (open for at least 3 years) no faxing pay day loans.Finally, give money in advance and not a property which you would already own, you can be exempt from land registration fee (0.715%).

SEND ACHETERET in a SCI

Here is the real estate company (SCI) who acquires the home and not you and / or your children directly, thus, again, to fund and pass more easily again. Parents are partners and own the shares of the SCI. A major advantage of this legal structure is its flexibility. A condition of relying on a notary or a lawyer to draft the statutes (beginning approximately € 2,000), all management schemes, or nearly so, may indeed be calmly considered: full or bare ownership only given to children, in whole or in part, etc..Parents may reserve the role of manager to get their hands on the decisions and procedures to meet the requirements (general meeting …). "In this configuration, the children, even adults, can not sell without your consent," said Gilles Etienne, Partner at Cyrus Council. The SCI can also borrow, even if minor children are involved. Only requirement: well set, with the help of a professional, their responsibilities vis-à-vis the debt and obtain the consent of the judge. Finally, the very existence of an ICS is not limited in time and value, as the designation of heritage that can be managed, is not fixed.

Scellier Act: rent-to-child

Parents who buy a home with the benefit of the tax reduction under the law Scellier can rent the apartment to their children.A three conditions: it must be the principal residence of the latter, that it is detached from the tax home of the parents (it is then placed on its side), finally, that actually pays the rent. ALSO READ: "Placement: the French have confidence in real estate

The U.S. stock markets fro in the red on Wednesday. The Dow Jones was down 0.94% to 11,083 points in early trade and the Nasdaq by 1.39% to 2511 points. Tuesday on Wall Street, the Dow Jones gained 1.33% and the Nasdaq 1.20%. The New York Stock Exchange and had lined up a third session in the green row.

Fears about the strength of global growth is also back in force. Economist Nouriel Roubini known to have foreseen the financial crisis of 2008 before anyone else, believes that the United States and most advanced economies are already in recession.

Wall Street keeps his eyes riveted on the crisis in public finances in Europe and particularly Greece. In recent days, world stock markets are won by a wave of optimism about the ability of Europeans to stop the debt crisis.Europeans should take measures to stabilize Greece and the banking sector. Strengthening the emergency fund indebted countries (EFSF) was particularly mentioned. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday await the outcome of the audit conducted by the troika of creditors of Greece on its financial statement, to determine whether or not to renegotiate the terms of the second aid plan in the country decided to July 21.

At the same time, the rigor required around among the major economies of the world. After Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Italy, it was the turn of France to deliver a message of rigor. On Wednesday, the Council of Ministers, France also will formalize its budget to reduce public deficits and contain the debt.The stated objective is to respect the European Treaties and convince the markets.

Among the macroeconomic indicators of the day across the Atlantic, are particularly durable goods orders in August in the United States. They fell by 0.1% in August, while the market was waiting for the same, due to a decline in demand for motor vehicles, according to figures released Wednesday by the Commerce Department. The traditional weekly inventory of crude oil will be announced at 16:30.

As for the oil market, has opened a barrel, down 92 cents in New York at 83.53 dollars a barrel. A barrel of Brent North Sea crude for November delivery gave 96 cents to 106.18 dollars.The previous day, oil had spread over 4 dollars in New York.

Values ​​to follow

Among the values ​​to follow, the company management consulting, technology services and outsourcing, Accenture (4.19% to 55.90 dollars), reported fourth quarter earnings per share of $ 0.91 against $ 0.90 expected and 0.66 dollar last year. Revenues jumped 23% to $ 6.7 billion. New orders reached a record $ 8.4 billion. The Board of Directors has increased its semi-annual dividend 50% to 0.675 dollar and allowed five billion additional share repurchases.For the year 2011/12, the group provides an annual EPS of 3.80 to 3.88 dollars, a growth in turnover of 7% to 10% and order intake in the range of from 28 to 31 billion.

Amazon (3.34% to 231.92 dollars) Wednesday to unveil its multimedia tablet Kindle Fire, highly anticipated, which could by its attractive price to become the first serious competitor to the Apple iPad.Analysts expect the shelf of Amazon is marketed around $ 250, almost two times cheaper than the iPad, sold from $ 499.

Family Dollar Stores (0.31% to 541.01 dollars), posted Wednesday for its fiscal fourth quarter earnings rose to $ 79.8 million (66 cents per share) against 73.9 million (56 cents per share) a year earlier.

For its part, Google (0.43% to 541.71 dollars) will invest $ 200 million in the construction of three data centers in Asia in Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Sandridge Energy (0.31% to 6.51 dollars) sold its natural gas fields in Texas, in the counties of Gregg, Harrison, Rusk and Panola to NFR Energy LLC for $ 231 million.Sandridge should reinvest the money in its program of drilling for oil.

Also note, the brand new 787 Dreamliner airplane from Boeing (1.43% to 63.68 dollars) landed Wednesday morning at the airport in Tokyo.

The numbers are chilling. Since the crisis began in 2009, the number of people who have committed suicide has doubled in Greece, according to figures from the Ministry of Health echoed by the Wall Street Journal. The first five months of the year, there were even 40% of suicides and more over the same period last year. These figures are especially impressive that according to the Greek statistical authorities, the suicide rate in Greece was among the lowest in the EU between 1990 and 2009.

Unemployment, inability to repay its debts are as many explanations for these gestures of despair paydayloans. According to figures from National Bank of Greece, the unemployment rate has doubled over two years, more than 16%. "This is the illustration that rigor is not the solution to revive Greece, says Céline Antonin, an economist at the French Office of Economic Conditions.Rigor leads to recession and the social crisis. Asphyxiant in households (higher taxes, lower wages …), the country will lose an engine to boost growth. "
A general transport strike was called on Thursday in Athens. "The Greek airport is not for sale" it said.

The health of European banks worried. So much so that the question of nationalization resurfaces. The possible bankruptcy of Greece and the contagion to Spain and Italy that would result are panicking investors who continue to attack for several days bank stocks. Since the beginning of the year, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Societe Generale have lost between a "large" third and 60% of their stock value. On the first day of September, the losses of the three titles are respectively 17.45%, 22.33% and 27.69%.

The fault, among other things an IMF report indicating a need for 200 billion euros for all European institutions. And, two days after the executive director of the institution, Christine Lagarde, has said that banks needed an "urgent recapitalization."Statements that had caused an outcry among European officials. On the sidelines of G8 was held in Marseille on Saturday, the former Minister of Economy and Finance held to explain the 200 billion euros. "This figure was included in a draft document and did not reflect the final estimate of the IMF, she said. This is not a stress test conducted by the IMF. " He added: "This is not the overall need for capital for European banks." As acknowledged by the President of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet earlier this month.

The dissenting voice of the German finance minister

But Christine Lagarde acknowledged that differences still exist between the IMF and ECB experts on the methodology to achieve the quantification of the capital requirements of banks.The final decision of the IMF should be in the final report, whose publication is expected by the end of September. The difference analysis between the IMF and the Europeans based in part on how to account for the value of government bonds of countries at risk in banks' balance sheets. The Anglo-Saxons are in favor of the idea of ​​using their market value, while the Europeans prefer to use internal models are less sensitive to changes in short-term securities.

Meeting in Marseille on Friday and Saturday, finance ministers from the euro zone wanted reassurance on the European banking system, swearing that he will not go bankrupt. All? Not a voice was more concerned desired. That of the German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, who would, according to Spiegel, already developed a plan to prevent the bankruptcy of Greece.

Dressed all in black, on Wednesday before members of the Bundestag, the Chancellor was in mourning for his father, who died Saturday. But visibly relieved after the decision of the judges of the Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe, the German chancellor had a big smile and great days of fighting to defend the euro. Reinforcing the federal government, the wise rejected on Thursday a complaint filed by German economists and a Conservative MP. This confirms the principle of aid promised by Berlin to combat the crisis in the euro area. But in exchange the Court ordered the government to involve Parliament more.

After wearing his cap red and getting up to announce a decision solemnly waited feverishly throughout Europe, the President of the Court Vosskuhle Andreas has removed one by one the arguments of the plaintiffs Eurosceptics.Or using in Athens in spring 2010 or the creation of the European emergency EFSF "do not violate Article 38 (of the German Constitution) the right to vote", and "neither sovereignty nor the fiscal room for maneuver future parliaments "have been compromised, he said. Known for their warmth towards Europe, the sages have therefore lifted the sword of Damocles hanging over the center-right government of Angela Merkel.

Advocacy for the euro and Europe

However, the game is not yet won for the Chancellor, who must bring together parliamentarians from the majority behind the new rescue plans for the euro area. Monday night, during a test vote, twenty-five members of the ruling coalition in Germany refused to support his bill to expand the powers of the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) which Germany has pledged more 200 billion euros.The rebel MPs are also opposed to new aid to Greece, they will also be asked to vote. Thanks to opposition voices, it was adopted by the Bundestag on September 29 is almost assured. But if his majority is lacking, the blow could be fatal to the coalition, Merkel could then be forced to call early parliamentary elections.

Thursday, Chancellor has therefore engaged in advocacy for the euro and Europe before the German MPs. "The Constitutional Court has absolutely confirmed" the path followed by Germany, it was welcomed. "We can not and will not let the failure of the euro," Merkel argued, reiterating that the future of Europe is at stake"If we are to avoid a major crisis in the western world (…), we need to fundamentally rethink everything," she said, adding that the accumulation of excessive debt for decades was the cause of the crisis. Marking the importance of the issue, Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble had gone in person in early July in Karlsruhe on behalf of the government argue the legality of the aid granted. The judges' decision "does not change the fact that decisions are difficult," he acknowledged Thursday, "but the debate on their compliance with the Constitution is over."

The Constitutional Court has in fact pointed out the powers of the Bundestag, which will give the green light "case by case for any aid of great importance." The Court held that the government has "the obligation to obtain clearance prior" to the budget committee of the Bundestag before making any commitment.No way also for Berlin to ratify agreements on a "community debt especially if it is linked to consequences difficult to predict," warned the judges. The idea of ​​creating common European obligations or "Eurobond" seems to finally buried the Rhine.

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