After completing a law degree, Michel Villatte obtained a PhD from the Institut d'Etudes Politiques in Paris and was general manager at Prédica from 1992 to 2005. He was a board member of the Crédit Agricole training college from 1995 to 2007 and today serves on the board of the Crédit Agricole foundation.
Michel Villatte was a member of the management committee of the French Insurers' Federation (FFSA) from 1996 to 2006 and chairman of the French Bancassurers' Federation (GFB) from 1992 to 2006. He is now an honorary chairman.
He is chairman of the board of the insurance industry training institute (Institut de Formation de la Profession de l'Assurance), a member of the board of the University of Caen department of Banking and Insurance studies, a member of the board of Wafa Insurance Co. in Morocco and a board member of ARI Prévoyance.
Michel Villatte holds the following two merit awards : Officier du mérite Agricole and Commandeur des Palmes Académiques.