Established in 1865, the Société Marseillaise was initially a commercial bank whose objective was to provide finance to the local economy and international commerce. In 1909 it extended its activity to accepting deposits and developed a network of branches in South East France then, after 1919, in North Africa. By this time it had become a large regional bank, very strongly rooted in its area. By joining the Crédit du Nord Group, the SMC will preserve its strengths: a strong regional brand and a close relationship with its customers.