French bank set to charge clients who do not respond to request for information

Account holders at a major French bank will face fees of up to €15 if they do not respond to certain information requests. 

It is part of changes announced by La Banque Postale at the end of 2024, alongside a fee increase for a number of services. 

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Checks on client information (address, family situation, employment and income details etc) to verify the data held are to become more frequent, as are additional checks for certain larger or important payments / transfers.

In the case of the latter clients may be asked to provide additional supporting documentation when authorising the action. 

It is part of continuing legal obligations for banks to help fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

If the bank’s clients do not respond to the requests they may be charged a €15 ‘customer file update fee’ (frais d'actualisation de dossier client) which will be debited from their account. 

The arrangement is expected to start from the summer with potential charges being levied from that point onwards.

Several warnings before payment taken

The bank has assured clients that they will be notified several times of the impending request using the banking application and personal information such as a client’s email address. 

A final 30-day notice before deduction of the fee from their account will also be given as a last warning to clients who have not responded to the requests.

In most cases it should be a simple process to update or confirm information held by the bank. 

Clients should inform their bank of any changes such as a new address or marriage/divorce, which can usually be done in-person or via their personal space on the bank’s website/application. 

Read more: It is now easier for people to identify a lost or forgotten bank account in France