Starting this Monday, ahead of the International Day Against Violence Against Women, La Banque Postale expands its support system in France to help women victims of economic violence (financial dependence, retention of bank cards, distance from the professional world, etc.) to (re)discover financial autonomy. The 3,000 post offices with bank advisors will be able to open current accounts in their names within 24 hours, and with complete confidentiality.
“Our local presence is an advantage, it will be easier for women to come to the post office, a neutral place where you can go for reasons other than opening a bank account,” said Vanessa Ly, director of vulnerable clients at La Banque Postale.
One account has been opened per office per month
The public company has been testing the system with about thirty post offices since the start of the year. “Around 150 people have benefited from this quick action. And today, we record the opening of one account per office per month,” estimates the professional.
Victims can come alone or be supported, as is often the case, by an association. “Our system is built together with national associative players such as the Federation of National Information Centers for Women’s and Family Rights (CIDFF). Accompanied by an association allows women to benefit from accommodation certificates that replace proof of address, which they find difficult to obtain. This document and their identity card are enough to start opening within a maximum of 24 hours,” the banker assured.
But unlike other similar existing banking offers, La Banque Postale’s offer has a fee: a minimum of 2.60 euros per month (the fee varies depending on age and the card chosen), except for women in financially vulnerable situations whose accounts are charged 1 euro per month.
28% of women do not use a personal account
The Brittany Pays de la Loire Savings Bank (CEBPL) was the first to launch this system in March 2024 with a guarantee of free access for two years… In the coming days, an information booklet on economic violence will be available to its customers in its 350 branches.
The Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale follows soon after, in July 2024. Its 14 member federations and all CIC institutions are offering a similar offer, free for one year. On the occasion of the International Day Against Violence Against Women, the joint group will publish its annual Ifop survey.
The impact is very worrying. “These things very clearly show a decline in women’s banking autonomy. In 2024, 23% of women in a relationship report not having a personal bank account. This year, the number reached 28%. The increasing figure shows the real financial vulnerability of women in a relationship,” he concluded.
