Since the start of the health crisis, the French have spent less and some, more far-sighted, prefer to save just in case.
Result: the bank accounts are full and the public authorities are wondering how to encourage individuals to spend.
A situation amplified by the fact that the A booklets and other investment means no longer earn enough.
"It's historic," says Marguerite Bérard, head of retail banking at BNP-Paribas in France.
The French have not had many spending opportunities this past year.
Consequences of the health crisis, the money is sleeping in their bank account.
Result: there has never been so much money in current accounts as at the heart of the coronavirus crisis.
469 billion euros on current accounts
It is therefore an expected consequence of the Covid-19 health crisis: current accounts have never been as full as they are at this time.
At the end of December, there were 469 billion euros, 15% more than a year earlier.
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The French spend less then their bank accounts swell.
"This is true for individuals who had fewer spending opportunities. They also have precautionary savings which increased during this period," explains Marguerite Bérard.
"What's the use of investing your money if it doesn't make much?"
Some have been able to put aside spending on leisure, such as restaurants, for example.
Others are afraid of the future and therefore keep some money in their checking accounts.
This is explained in particular by the fact that the Livret A and others do not bring in much.
So "what is the point of investing your money if it brings in little?", Raises Philippe Crevel, who heads the Cercle de l'Epargne.
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This economic windfall interests the public authorities.
Bercy is looking for measures to encourage the French to spend this money.
The goal: to boost the recovery after the coronavirus crisis.