554 Billion € in Q2 2024! French Finance Comes Back to Life

Finance in France is experiencing a major upheaval in 2024. Savers are changing their habits. Additionally, life insurance is reaching historic highs, and the Livret A is slowing down after an exceptional year in 2023.

Finance: the big comeback of demand deposits

In 2024, an unexpected trend is emerging in the French financial landscape: demand deposits are seeing a resurgence of interest. For the first time in nearly two years, the French are increasing their holdings in their current accounts. This turnaround, observed in the second quarter, surprises experts at the Bank of France, especially since 85% of French people were worried about their future.

The numbers speak volumes: household demand deposits reached 554 billion euros in June, marking an increase compared to the stagnation between February and May, where amounts fluctuated around 550 billion euros. The Bank of France, in its quarterly report, highlights the end of a period of outflows that had lasted since the summer of 2022, when demand deposits had reached a historic high of 639 billion euros.

Life insurance in great shape

At the same time, life insurance is experiencing a real boom in 2024. Euro funds are again attracting savers, with a 13% increase in contributions since the beginning of the year. This exceptional performance delights industry professionals. Paul Esmein, General Manager of France Insurers, notes that “net inflows have not seen such results since 2010.”

The Retirement Savings Plan (PER) also benefits from this enthusiasm for insurance finance. Contributions to this product have jumped by 19% year-on-year, and 76,300 new insureds subscribed to a PER in June. Especially since savers can now choose Bitcoin as their savings plan.

Finance: The Livret A is slowing down!

However, not all savings products are experiencing the same success. The Livret A and the LDDS, stars of 2023, are showing more modest performances in 2024. Net inflows amounted to only 15 billion euros in the first half of 2024, more than twice less than the same period the previous year. Despite this slowdown, the total outstanding amounts of the two savings accounts reached 579.9 billion euros as of June 30. The Livret A remains a key investment in French household finance, thanks to its capital guarantee and total liquidity, which continue to attract cautious savers.

The world of finance is evolving rapidly in France. In 2024, with unemployment declining, savers are diversifying their investments and returning to traditional products like demand deposits. Life insurance stands out as the big winner in this new financial scenario.