Société Générale is dismantling its network of backup trading sites known as shadow floors after concluding that remote work can sustain operations during emergencies. The French bank has closed facilities in France and the UK that served as contingency hubs, though it retains some physical sites for regulatory compliance in jurisdictions like the US. This move reflects a broader industry shift where lenders are reducing reliance on costly disaster recovery infrastructure amid improved remote trading capabilities.

SocGen's CEO Slawomir Krupa, leading a turnaround effort, emphasized cost efficiency by stating 'nothing is sacred' in operational optimization. The bank's global markets division, a top-tier equity derivatives player, generated nearly €6bn in revenue last year, supporting its €48bn valuation. While maintaining regulatory-mandated backup sites, SocGen's streamlined approach underscores how technology has diminished the need for redundant physical infrastructure.