Alain, capital reader, addresses the following question: “Hello, is the 7.20% paid European savings book a scam or a reliable placement?”. Hello Alain, and thank you for your question. It is particularly topical, since with the drop in the rate of booklet A and the popular savings book (LEP) from August 1, savers will logically seek more remunerative alternative investments, and what could be better than going to another booklet, to make the task easier?
Unfortunately, the periods of decrease in regulated booklets also see a large number of scams flourish, having very attractive yields shimp, but which are actually intended to steal your savings. Suffice to say at the outset, this is the case of the European Savings Booklet, a scam that frequently returns to the front of the stage. To put it clearly, such a booklet does not exist.
A yield far too high to be a real booklet
What can first put the chip in your ear, in the future, is the promise of yield. A performance of 7.20% for a savings book is very high. By booklet, we hear a savings product subscribed to a bank on which you can freely make withdrawals, and with a capital guarantee (that is to say the assurance of not being able to lose money). However, with equivalent conditions, remember that it is in principle impossible for a bank to offer more than the rate of booklet A.
Currently, some online banks can offer you products called “Super Livres”, which for the best display rates of 2%, often with a 3% or 4% promotional offer for a few months. However, unlike booklet A, these rates are gross taxation. By removing the 30% of the single flat -rate levy (PFU, or flat tax), their rate – which is also likely to change at any time – is often lower than that of the Livret A.
In general, the higher the performance, the more questions you have to ask yourself. “Never forget that there is no high yield without high risk”, recalls the authority of financial markets on its site. In this case, a return above 7% corresponds rather to what can be hoped for on average per year of an investment in equity, much more risky than a booklet. Finally, know that if a performance promise is made to you, the offer must be saved on the AMF white list. If not, go your way!
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