French and Benelux stocks - Factors to watch on March 23

PARIS, March 23 (Reuters) - Below are leading stories from French and Benelux newspapers and company-related news which could have an impact on the region's markets or individual stocks.

SOCIETE GENERALE (SOGN.PA)

Bosses at Societe Generale said they had decided to give up their stock options following criticism from the government since the bank had received state aid. [ID:nLM25582]

VALEO (VLOF.PA)

French car parts maker Valeo SA said Chief Executive Thierry Morin was stepping down in a disagreement over strategy and named Jacques Aschenbroich as his successor. [ID:nLN618443]

AIR FRANCE-KLM (AIRF.PA)

Air France-KLM said it would submit a non-binding expression of interest in the Czech government's stake in Czech Airlines on Monday in order to access the airline's data room. [AIRF.PA]

BNP PARIBAS (BNPP.PA)

The Paris prosecutor's office has launched a preliminary investigation to see if BNP Paribas provided misleading information about investments in a fund buying Madoff-related products, the Journal du Dimanche newspaper said without naming its sources. BNP denied ever having advised clients to buy Madoff products and said it would in turn file a complaint. [ID:nLL493444]

CASINO (CASP.PA), REXEL (RXL.PA)

Casino named Antoine Giscard d'Estaing, 48, new chief financial officer at the French retailer to replace Michel Favre, who will move to Rexel. Giscard d'Estaing has been a partner with Bain & Company Paris since last year and was previously at food group Danone (DANO.PA). [CASP.PA]