Over-indebtedness on the rise in France, according to the Banque de France

The number of over-indebtedness files jumped by 10.8% in 2024 compared to 2023, according to figures published Tuesday January 14 by the Bank of France, in a gloomy economic climate for purchasing power.

The Banque de France received 134,803 files in 2024. This number, however, remains lower than that of 2019, considered the reference year before the disruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

New registrations in the national file of personal loan repayment incidents (FICP), which lists in particular people who have encountered difficulties in repaying a loan taken out personally, increased by 3.1% in 2024 compared to to 2023, to 908,636.

Voluntary approach

Registrations in this file do not necessarily result in the submission of an over-indebtedness file, which is a voluntary action on the part of the person concerned.

The number of people registered in the central check file (FCC), which lists people who have issued a bad check as well as those who have had their bank card withdrawn following improper use, has fallen by 10, however. 9% for the year 2024 compared to 2023, to 695,184.

The number of bank designations for account entitlement is also decreasing, decreasing by 3.2% between 2023 and 2024, to 29,295 last year.

In the event of refusal from a banking establishment or lack of response within fifteen days after a request to open an account, an individual can contact the Banque de France and have a deposit account opened free of charge with basic banking services. in another establishment.

Nearly 2 million individuals have achieved “a request for information or support” in 2024 with the Banque de France on financial inclusion themes, she specifies, at the counter, by telephone, by mail or through its website.