Former Chief Executive Officer of LCL and Deputy CEO of Crédit Agricole S.A. — Doctor of Business Law. Over 40 years serving banking and the financing of the economy.
President · MM Conseil 
Michel Mathieu did not inherit banking — he learned it from the inside. In 1983, a Doctor of Business Law, he joined Crédit Agricole du Gard. There he took charge, in turn, of legal affairs, agriculture, marketing, branch networks, insurance and corporate banking — learning the trade where it is practised, close to the client and the risk.
From the Gard regional bank to the Midi, he climbed every rung of executive management. In 2007 he led the operation that revealed him: the merger of the Midi and Gard regional banks, from which the Caisse régionale du Languedoc was born. Turn around, bring together, grow — the method was already there.
In March 2010 the Group called him to Paris. As Deputy Chief Executive of Crédit Agricole S.A. and a member of the executive committee, he oversaw a remit rare in its breadth: finance, human resources, legal and compliance, IT, strategy, economic research, internal resources and real estate — at the heart of the decisions of one of Europe’s leading banking groups.
In April 2016 he took over as Chief Executive of LCL and of international retail banking. For seven years he made LCL the “bank of city-dwellers”, redirected resources towards growth markets and steered the bank through the health crisis — before leaving the Group at the end of 2023, on results at their highest.
It is this experience — that of a leader who has known it all, from the branch network to head office, from the local bank to the executive committee of a listed group — that he now places, through MM Conseil, at the service of executives and boards of directors.
From a department of a regional bank to the general management of LCL, Michel Mathieu climbed every rung of a major banking group. Not one promotion after another — one result after another.
Advising executives and boards of directors on governance, general management, financial steering and strategy. Alongside, director and Senior Advisor to some fifteen companies.
Seven years at the helm of LCL. He made it the “bank of city-dwellers”, launched the collective book “Ville Makers” and oversaw international proximity banking (Italy, Egypt, Ukraine). Reallocation of resources towards growth markets; divestment of Morocco, Romania and Serbia. Left the Group on 31 December 2023, on results at their highest.
Called to Paris, to the Group’s head office. A remit rare in its breadth: Finance, HR, Legal, Compliance, IT, Strategy, Economic Research, Internal Resources and Real Estate. Steered the “MUST” savings plan and the divestment of the Greek subsidiary Emporiki. Member of the executive committee.
The operation that revealed him: he led the merger of the Midi and Gard regional banks — from which the Caisse Régionale du Languedoc was born in 2007 — then steered the performance of the new entity. Turn around, bring together, grow.
A strategic plan of restructuring and customer reconquest, at the head of the very bank where he began — cost-to-income ratio turned around, net banking income sharply improved.
In charge of the central functions of the Midi bank: Finance, IT, Real Estate, Legal, HR and Organisation — learning to steer the whole.
Joined Crédit Agricole du Gard in 1983, a Doctor of Business Law. Successively led the Legal, Agriculture, Marketing, Retail Networks, Insurance and Corporate departments — the trade learned from the inside, close to the client and the risk.
For a first confidential conversation, write directly to Michel Mathieu — michel@mmconseil.eu
A Doctor of Business Law, Michel Mathieu never stopped teaching — from the university lecture hall to the schools of banking. A leader who explains because he taught for so long.
Doctorate Certificate in Insurance Law University of Montpellier, Faculty of Law Official site ↗ A leader is also measured by what he carries beyond his mandate. A national theatre, economic development, a landmark report: three commitments where finance meets the public interest.
He chaired the endowment fund of the national dance theatre — a patronage commitment to artistic creation, recognised by the Order of Arts and Letters.
Learn more →Chairing the economic-development agency of Nîmes Métropole: attracting companies, investment and jobs — finance in the service of the real economy and the regions.
Learn more →Co-author of a landmark report on the future of the mutualist banking model, at the crossroads of economics, law and governance.
Learn more →Official recognitions, conferred by decree or order of the French State, over a career and a life of public engagement.
France’s highest distinction, recognising eminent service to the Nation.
Named in the Journal officiel of 5 April 2015, under the Ministry of Finance — “deputy chief executive of a banking group; 31 years of service”.
Official reference →A distinction of the Ministry of Culture honouring contribution to the arts and letters.
Named by order of the Ministry of Culture, “winter 2017” promotion — as chair of the Le Manège de Chaillot endowment fund.
Official reference →A distinction of the Ministry of Agriculture recognising service to agriculture — the sector at the heart of a career within the Crédit Agricole group.
A first confidential conversation, with no commitment, to define your need.
