From this Monday, the eve of the International Day Against Violence Against Women, La Banque Postale is extending 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)find financial autonomy. The 3,000 post offices with a bank advisor will be able to open a current account in their name within 24 hours, and in complete confidentiality.
“Our local presence is an advantage, it can be easier for a woman to come to a post office, a neutral place where you can go for reasons other than opening a bank account,” highlights Vanessa Ly, director of vulnerable clients at La Banque Postale.
Already one account opened per office per month
The public establishment has been testing the system with around thirty post offices since the start of the year. “Around 150 people have already benefited from an express measure. And today, we record the opening of one account per office per month,” estimates the professional.
Victims can come alone or supported, as is most often the case, by an association. “Our system was co-constructed with major national associative players such as the National Federation of Information Centers for the Rights of Women and Families (CIDFF). Being accompanied by an association allows women to benefit from an accommodation certificate which replaces proof of address, which is difficult for them to obtain. This document and their identity card are enough to launch the opening within 24 hours maximum,” assures the banker.
But unlike other comparable banking offers that already exist, that of La Banque Postale is chargeable: 2.60 euros per month minimum (cost varies depending on age and the card chosen), except for women in financially fragile situations for whom the account is billed 1 euro per month.
28% of women do not use a personal account
The Bretagne Pays de la Loire Savings Bank (CEBPL) was the first to launch this system in March 2024 with guaranteed 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.
Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale followed suit shortly after, in July 2024. Its 14 member federations and all CIC agencies offer a similar offer, free for one year. On the occasion of the International Day Against Violence Against Women, the mutual group will publish its annual Ifop survey.
Its results are particularly worrying. “They very clearly show the decline in women’s banking autonomy. In 2024, 23% of women in a relationship reported not having use of a personal bank account. This year, they are 28%. A rising figure, which demonstrates a real financial vulnerability of women in relationships,” she concludes.