The structure of the funds was irrelevant

Charles Milhaud joined the Caisse d'Epargne by the back door. His father, former intendant of a wine operation, is used for the Agency in Sète. In 1964, the son interrupted his studies to support his family and is hiring: it begins behind the wicket. In forty years, this self-taught conquers all levels. "Already, in Sète, I set up the first computer economic interest group." I was never able to simply manage a structure, I always tried to go beyond. It is indeed me has chosen to go to Marseille.

Marseille: in 1983, he takes the Almighty regional fund and began its true ascent, which will lead to the chairmanship of the Executive Board of the national Centre of Caisses d'Epargne et de Prévoyance in 1999. Today, the boss of the Group has to his credit a pension reform, the emancipation of the Caisses and the establishment of a mutual structure, the marriage with the Banques Populaires for NatIxis... The key to its success the action and results. "Or in Marseille for the group, wherever I went, the results have been multiplied by three." Development sometimes deemed excessive: some have denounced his willingness to "grow at any price." "I think that, for many, there is a background of jealousy, or in any case concern: it was not expected to the Caisse d'Epargne group to reach such a position." Who would have bet, in 1999, that it would become what it is today Many imagined not see a new competitor in the field!

Charles Milhaud sees long term. The first spark occurs in 1995: Caisses d'Epargne fail to absorb the CIC, which is taken up by Crédit Mutuel. "The structure of the funds was irrelevant." I considered that it could not remain on a monoculture system: should first obtain a status which we can ensure our freedom, and then position us on the market of companies. It seemed to me that this should be done through an external growth operation, more than by internal growth. The operation on the CIC has shown that we need to strengthen the central power, but this is not inconsistent with the fact of relying on regional banks strong and powerful. It is also what is realized.

"The financial Napoleon".

Another important element of its success, the who were dubbed the "Napoleon of finance" was able to surround themselves. Marseilles, Charles Milhaud has maintained strong friendships. And, upon his arrival in Paris, he realized that the relationship was even more necessary.

But the man defending of networking. "I think that it does not understand me: always talking about my network, but I have no network." I think that things are as the affinities, meetings. I have relations with politicians, or other, completely different origins, with which the current is passed. Often, it is interpreted as someone who moves from left to right. Indeed, I have friends on the left and right, but I do not just friendships in the political sphere.

Sixty-three years, and then that his short term through 2009, Charles Milhaud knows with NatIxis operation the crowning of his career. He received the rapprochement between the Caisses d'Epargne and Banques Populaires. "I hear me very well with Philippe Dupont." It has its character and I have mine. But if you share the same project, if you agree on the fundamental values, there is no reason not to agree.

Find the "selected comments" already appeared on and the entirety of the interview to 12 and 16 hours on BFM in "Saga of power" of Hedwige Chevrillon.