In 2025, there is a risk of movement in the bank accounts of the French. Indeed, if bank loan rates decrease and instant transfers become free this year, bank fees will increase. In any case, this is what the study carried out by the CLCV ensures, which highlights an increase of more than 5% for two types of profiles, and more than 3% for the third. And concretely, those who will see their costs increase the most are “small consumers”.
“Account maintenance fees (+8%), bank cards (+3% to 3.4% depending on the type of card), withdrawals from competitive ATMs, reduction in the reduction rate on second cards held on the same account, increase in the price of the package are the main causes of the increase in the average cost of the baskets of services that we have defined”is listed in the study, for which the rates of 110 banks in mainland France and overseas were analyzed. Still according to the study, the most expensive banks would be Société Générale and the Banques Populaires network. The cheapest would be Crédit Coopératif, LCL and BNP Paribas.
“They no longer know what to invent to plunder our accounts”
Before long, “small consumers” with basic banking services will pay €69.78 on average each year (+5.46%). “Average consumers” will pay €134.94 (+€5.29) for a couple with two cards with loss and theft insurance. And “heavy consumers” average €214.87 (+3.88%) for two holders of a Gold or Premier card and making numerous withdrawals. And because there are no small savings, obviously, among the French, it doesn't work.
“The banks don’t care about it”launches an Internet user on social networks. “It’s the heist of the century”continues another upon hearing the news. A real heist, therefore. Or even worse: “A system to crush the middle classes and protect the elites.” In short, “a shame” according to many French people. Especially when we know that annual account maintenance fees have already increased in 2024, by approximately 2.5 to 3%.
“They no longer know what to invent to plunder our accounts. Bunch of thieves”we can read on X. “Fewer services, more regulation and more fees. A good summary of France in recent years”, chants a user. “And the Livret A goes from 3% to 2.5%, whenever the poor get richer”breathes another. It is true, the passbook for 57 million holders will display a rate of 2.5% until August 1, 2025. The LEP rate should also drop from 4% to 3%.
Any good news to counterbalance all this? This study carried out by the CLCV and concerning the increase in banking fees does not involve online banks, which have no or few banking fees.