The year 2024 was marked by high inflation. More discreetly, cases of over-indebtedness have also multiplied at the Banque de France.
2,034 over-indebtedness files were recorded by the Banque de France in Oise and 1,673 in Somme, figures up by 8 and 8.4% respectively in these two departments: “We have an effect that lags behind inflation. The most modest households have exhausted their savings and postponed whatever expenses they could. But at some point, that’s no longer enough. Expenses for energy or rent become unbearable. Often, we also find a breakup, whether marital or professional, and we fall into over-indebtedness. notes an analyst from the Banque de France in Hauts-de-France.
The trend in these two departments is aligned with that observed in Hauts-de-France (where the increase is 8.4%) and even at the national level. For the year 2024, 134,803 over-indebtedness files have been deposited, an increase of 10.8% compared to 2023. In the second half of 2024, the increase slowed (9.0% after 12.6% in the 1st half). The 2024 level of deposits remains significantly below the pre-pandemic level (-6% compared to 2019) and the level ten years ago (-42% compared to 2014).
In Oise and Somme too, the levels are below those of 2019: “An interesting figure is the number of files per 10,000 inhabitants. We are at 2.3 in Oise and Somme compared to 3 in Hauts-de-France and 1.9 nationally. “.
“We notice that these are mainly single-parent households, predominantly single women with children,” notes the Banque de France.
What happens after overindebtedness?
The almost 4,000 files from Oise and Somme are analyzed by the Banque de France: “This procedure is free and confidential. We look at the amounts of late charges and repayment capacities. In two thirds of cases, we stagger the monthly payments or we launch a moratorium. This freezes expenses for two years, while the person finds a job or a more stable situation. »
-For the remaining third, the most degraded situations, “the debts are erased. But this only concerns limited amounts for expenses linked to housing or electricity for example,” adds the Banque de France.
A positive note
At the national level, the number of new registrations of people at the FCC (central check file) down 10.9% for the year 2024 compared to the year 2023. It brings together people who were refused payment by check or bank card during the year. The figure is also trending downward in Oise (-13%) and Somme (-10%).
Contact the Banque de France
It is possible to contact the Banque de France to obtain opinions or advice before falling into over-indebtedness.
The number of requests for information or support from individuals addressed to the Banque de France on financial inclusion themes via its multi-channel reception (counter, telephone – via the single number 3414 – mail, web via the site /) amounts to more than 1.9 million over the twelve months of the year, i.e. an increase of 6.8% compared to the same period in 2023.
And for 2025, the end of inflation and the reduction of over-indebtedness?
Over-indebtedness cases peaked between May and November in the Somme before falling again in December. What gives a little hope for 2025? “We hope that with the marked decline in inflation, situations will improve” concludes the Bank of France.
Above all, economic recovery could arrive. According to the business leaders participating in the Banque de France survey (around 8,500 companies or establishments questioned between December 20 and January 7), in December activity changed little in industry and construction, and continued to progress in market services.
In January, according to business expectations, activity would increase in industry and to a lesser extent in construction, and slow down in market services. Order books are considered low in all sectors of industry, except aeronautics. For the coming weeks, construction contractors anticipate an increase in activity in all trades.
