On January 5, Antony Marthe took office as Director of Banque Populaire Méditerranée in Monaco. With extensive banking experience and a distinguished career behind him, he is now discovering Monaco’s financial center, its ecosystem, and a unique client relationship that is akin to a partnership.
I have 27 years of banking experience, much of it with the Banques Populaires, and my career has been marked by frequent relocations. I have never held two positions less than 200 kilometers apart, which has allowed me to develop great agility and a strong ability to adapt to different environments. Until now, my career has mainly taken place in the Grand Est region, but Monaco marks my first international assignment.
Above all, I’ve been fortunate to have worked in nearly every banking role involving direct contact with clients. I started with retail banking, then moved to commercial banking, before becoming a branch manager. This allowed me to explore a wide variety of regions and industries: viticulture in Épernay, in Champagne, but also manufacturing in the Vosges, for example.
Absolutely. We touch on all economic sectors. I subsequently moved into business development roles. I served as the bank’s Market Director for Eastern France, in a more strategic role focused on project management and business strategy, always supporting the network. I held this position for about three years.
However, I missed being in the field: I am first and foremost a hands-on manager who values close relationships and is deeply committed to clients. So I returned to regional responsibilities, taking on the role of Department Director. These duties involve a strong managerial component, working with large teams—often young—and significant HR responsibilities: recruitment, employee support, and team leadership.
I didn’t hesitate for a single second. Monaco is an incredible financial hub for a banker. It’s also a country with its own ecosystem and economy. Working in Monaco means discovering a new country and a new culture, and it’s extremely enriching. I enjoy meeting people and I’m convinced that we grow through contact with different cultures. That’s what motivated me to join Banque Populaire Méditerranée in Monaco.
The client relationship remains fundamentally the same: above all, a client expects a banker who listens, who supports them in their projects, with a relationship based on trust. Whether in Monaco, Épernay, Reims, or Metz, this foundation is identical, and it is what constitutes the DNA of the Banques Populaires.
What particularly surprised me in Monaco—and in a very pleasant way—is the relationship Monegasques have with their bankers. There is a true partnership, a particularly strong long-term relationship. From my very first two months in Monaco, I was struck by the quality of the welcome: warm, sincere, with a genuine desire to help me integrate quickly into the ecosystem.
I sense a very strong economic solidarity in Monaco, which I haven’t always observed elsewhere. Industry players share, recommend, and refer. In just a few months, I’ve already received referrals from clients or contacts I met at conferences. This trust, granted so quickly, is extremely motivating.
Sometimes I feel like I’ve been here for two years, the integration has been so fast. In Monaco, the banker is truly considered a “life partner,” and you really feel that.
We are recognized for our corporate business center, which is part of the DNA of the Banques Populaires. We also have expertise in private banking, with dedicated teams and tailored offerings. The development of this business and the ability to create synergies between these two areas—supporting both companies and their executives—is a priority for our branch in Monaco.
Furthermore, we aim to develop our universal banking model. To put it another way, we want to be the bank for all Monegasques—from civil servants to business leaders, including merchants and artisans. We have the capacity to meet every need, from the most general to the most specific—this is what makes us unique and strong.
There are about twenty of us. This positions us as a full-fledged player in the market, with a mid-sized structure. This size—which is large enough to offer all the necessary expertise while allowing for great agility and an entrepreneurial spirit—enables us to support all types of businesses: large corporations, SMEs, as well as Monegasque artisans and merchants.
In particular regarding artisans and merchants, some have told me that Banque Populaire Méditerranée was the only bank to open its doors to them when they were starting out. That is something I wish to preserve. Not to mention, of course, our retail banking clients.
I was very warmly welcomed by the president and the secretary general from my very first days. We discussed not only my banking career, but also my past commitments and roles, and how my individual experiences could enrich the collective. I have always believed it was important to get involved in economic ecosystems.
The president invited me to quickly join two committees—Social Affairs and Financial Activities—which I accepted with great pleasure. I also had the opportunity to organize macroeconomic conferences right after I arrived, notably with Coface.
What strikes me about Monaco is the speed and the very hands-on approach: things are said and done. It’s not just talk, but action. Monaco is a country where you get down to business very quickly, with extremely active players. It’s very refreshing when you arrive.
One of the things that really surprised me is the international nature of the clientele. Compared to everything I’ve experienced before, this is truly new. In private banking in particular, the teams speak Italian, English, or even German. It’s impressive and very representative of Monaco. It’s one of the unique aspects that stood out to me right from the start. I love this cosmopolitan spirit.
