 This external growth strategy has been manifested through acquisitions in Central Europe (Komerční Banka in the Czech Republic and in Slovenia) in 2001.Investment banking at Societe Generale in Russia was run by Jacques Der Megreditchian until 2000 At that time, Société Générale became officially concerned with money laundering scandal and underground economy.In 2001, Société Générale acquired a controlling interest in the TCW Group.