Two euros per month. This is what the Caisse d’Epargne Initial package account could cost, until June 1, for a young person aged 11 to 28, according to the Regional Banks. It will now be zerowithout income conditions, for at least 1.5 million of its customers. The cooperative bank joins a fray where BoursoBank, Revolut and N26 are already competing for a generation that pays in three clicks and compares its bank charges in story. At Crédit Agricole, the EKO account has also become free, with a virtual card free of charge but a physical card charged at 1 euro per month.
At Caisse d’Epargne, the offer looks good. Visa Classic card, payments without costs and unlimited anywhere in the world, custody rights offered on the securities account and PEA, access to ETFs and cryptocurrencies from the Banxo application. The director of BtoC development, Simon Cascarano, summarizes the logic. “Customers want to pay for what they use and have things simple. » THE good plan immediate is real. What he prepares is just as much.
The good plan is real
Let’s start with what’s really worth the detour. THE payments abroad, free of charge and without limits, are an asset for a generation who travel, go on Erasmus or try a working holiday visa. Free custody fees on ETFs and PEA aligns the bank with online brokers, who have long been unbeatable in this area. And the Banxo application maintains its ratings on the app stores.
On the rest, Caisse d’Epargne plays a different card than the 100% digital players. When a neobank bets on total autonomy, the mutual network highlights its advisors and its agencies, from the first account to the first real estate loan. “We want to support customers over the long term, through the entire universe that we offer,” explains Simon Cascarano.
The argument will appeal to those who want someone to talk to on the day of an unexpected event or a first loan. It will leave indifferent those who will never push the door of a agency and prefer the fluidity of a multi-currency application. Since free is now everywhere, the real tie-breaker comes down to the use you actually make of your bank.
Free today, customer for a long time?
There free has a deadline. At the age of 29, the Initial account becomes paying again, when the young worker often begins to earn a better living. Between these two terminals, the bank has the time to build a relationship and offer what pays her, life insurance, retirement savings plan, real estate loan. Simon Cascarano explains it straightforwardly. “That’s the goal. True to our history, we want to continue to create a lasting relationship with our customers. »
The bank returned its copy. Studies carried out with its customers show that, when it comes to savings, young people have desires comparable to those of well-off savers, notes the manager. “The expectations of young customers today regarding savings are quite close to those of wealthy customers. » Enough to explain the eagerness to open up to them, early, the world of investments, ETFs sectorized up to cryptocurrencies.
Before signing, compare. Each offer has its limits. At Crédit Agricole they will differ from those of Revolut or Caisse d’Epargne. Here, payments are unlimited, but withdrawals abroad remain capped by a deductible. The Visa Classic card is an entry-level card, with lighter insurance than premium cards. And an ETF, a PER or cryptocurrencies are never trivial. Before signing, it is better to compare the actual ceilingsfees after 28 years and guarantees really included. Zero fees are a great place to start. It’s up to everyone to make good use of it.
Article for information purposes. It does not constitute a banking recommendation or investment advice. The investments mentioned carry a risk of capital loss.
