Bank fees cheaper but inconsistent

BANKS are cutting the fees they charge customers for day-to-day operations, but there are still large differences from one to the next, according to a consumer watchdog.

CLCV has analysed the fees charged by French banks for a range of 50 operations such as paying in cheques, transferring money or owning a debit card.

The group found the average bill had dropped by 5.31% compared with this time last year. However, the amount paid for banking services was up to three times higher for some accounts than others - with annual fees ranging from €41 to €131.

The Banque Populaire network was among the most expensive, while La Poste and Crédit Agricole offered some of the cheapest fees.

The CLCV report also found that paying for banking services on a pay-as-you-go basis was generally cheaper for most users than signing up to an all-inclusive package: €69 compared with €110.

Every French bank is required to send an annual reminder to customers in January detailing exactly how much it charges for various operations.

The yearly recap has been a legal requirement for the past two years, and was designed to improve transparency and trust.