At the end of 2018, in the midst of the "yellow vests" crisis, Emmanuel Macron had obtained from the banks a number of commitments, notably a rate freeze and a cap on the costs of banking incidents. More than a year later, these same banks are summoned to the Ministry of the Economy for a balance sheet.

Banks report this Friday morning. Bruno Le Maire wants to take stock of the commitments made at the end of 2018, especially at the time of the "yellow vests". The banking authorities are therefore convened this morning at 8 am in Bercy by the Minister of the Economy. Among the commitments made, we can cite the freezing of tariffs or the capping of banking incident costs for customers in a situation of financial fragility. More than a year later, it's time to take stock.

Frozen bank fees and a fee cap

The banks have played the game, that's what they say in Bercy. Indeed, bank charges were frozen for everyone last year. A ceiling has also been put in place for bank charges for the most vulnerable. It concerns more than three million people. This ceiling has been set at 25 euros per month and 250 euros maximum over the year. One in three people suddenly had less expenses than what they would have had without this ceiling.

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A specific banking offer for people in difficulty

Bercy also wanted the banks to more broadly offer a specific banking offer for those who are in great difficulty. If the conditions depend on each bank, there too it seems that there has been an effort: according to our information, we went from 109,000 beneficiaries in 2017, to 487,000 at the end of 2019.

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A good start therefore, but this Friday morning Bercy will ask the banks to continue to maintain the pace for the most fragile audiences. The ministry wants for example gestures on the exorbitant cost of the letters sent for banking incidents. Regarding frozen bank charges for everyone Bercy is well aware that it is not possible to maintain it over time, but the Minister intends to ask the banks to limit their ambitions to the maximum.