French banks to limit fee increases to 2% in 2023 amid high inflation

The banks, which have made enormous profits recently, agreed to the measure upon a government request to help preserve public buying power

Some banks in France intend to freeze bank fees in 2023
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France’s banking sector has agreed to limit increases in bank fees to a maximum of 2% next year, as requested by the government.

France’s economy and finance minister Bruno Le Maire announced the move yesterday (September 13), saying that “all the banks have made the commitment”.

He added that some banks will freeze their rates as they are now, and called the measure “un bouclier sur les frais bancaires” (a freeze on bank charges).

People in France paid on average €215.50 in bank fees over the course of 2020, according to insurance comparison site Lesfurets.

The banks have also committed to reducing the maximum bank fee charge for the lowest earners from €3 per month to €1.

French banks raked in record profits in 2021. The five major players, BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, BPCE and Crédit Mutuel, made a combined €30billion in net profits.

The government has asked them to take action to protect public buying power, as year-on-year inflation hit at 5.8% in August according to the latest estimations from France’s national statistics agency Insee.

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