With First time There is data about basic payment accountsIt is a banking product created by European Union in 2014 to guarantee near universal access for financial services most basic, first of all designed vulnerable groups such as migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. According to official information reached by El Periódico de Catalunya from the Prensa Ibérica group, Spanish banks have been opened. 47,728 between these accounts. 2018 and 2021 at an increasing rate: 4,493 in 2018, 9,681 in 2019, 15,154 in 2020 and 18,400 in 2021. JuneThat 2022 will collect them next month.
Moreover, first three years Since its incorporation into Spanish legislation, banks have 92.59% of applications were accepted basic payment accounts and They rejected 3,220, 7.41% according to a report they received a few days ago, their total European Commission. The rejection rate was also increasing: seven in 2018 (0.09% of total requests), 986 (6.65%) in 2019, and 2,227 (10.6%) in 2020. These are low rates “a little higher” based on community average: at 27 partner states, 32,818 applications rejected, 1% of the total. In any case, the Spanish data is far from expected. 36.44% LatvianThe only country to stand out with a high rejection rate.
The Community Executive’s report is one of the number of basic payment accounts in the EU. “significant increase” in some states between 2016 and 2021, particularly higher percentage of the population didn’t have an account. Instead, the adoption of vulnerable accounts “Very low” in other countries, logically higher rate citizens already had standard account. In this sense, the percentage over 15 years old Having a bank account in Spain was already very high before these accounts came and also rose. From 94% in 2017 to 98% in 2021According to a World Bank report highlighting the Brussels document, it is above the EU average of 95%.
the failed reform
In this sense, bank sources say that “it is entirely and simply that the small number of basic payment accounts in Spain wide range of accounts assets offered to them. different types of customersgenerally reduced in terms of both access, services included and costs, and free in many casesIn this context, the Commission report states that the aim of European regulations is not to “ensure a high adoption of basic payment accounts, but rather strengthen financial inclusion and make sure all consumers have access to one. taking into account general availability from such accounts, apparently this goal achieved generally”.
However, Brussels also emphasizes that it “could be”. difficulties“in certain certain respects, above all shock between the regulations on basic payment accounts and the strong obligations imposed on banks by provincial laws.anti money laundering, as the industry has claimed for years. In particular, as the cause of the difficulties, “lack of certain identification documents”.
To solve some of these problems Congress we agreed a few days ago reform Arrangement of basic payment accounts for to explain In what cases are organizations obliged to open them, and in what cases? identity documents Applicable in the most complex situations as well as entrusting. Bank of Spain to do standard application form banks should present it to interested parties. However, all these changes rotten with the holding of general elections and the dissolution of the Cortes.
Basic need
The European Union created these accounts in 2014 to provide a guarantee. almost universal right Percentage of people residing in their territory (either legally or legally) to access the most basic financial services: deposit and withdrawal from money; place of residence income and receipts; transfers; And card debt. The Rajoy Government approved its inclusion in Spanish regulations in November. 2017If the current Administrator 2019 the maximum total cost cannot exceed three euros per monthwhile they are free for vulnerable households who meet certain income requirements.
Spain is a country multi-bank and most citizens have access to a checking account, but basic payment accounts look for: people who don’t make profits for banks They can also access financial services. This is a key questionbecause nowadays having an account, collect payroll or help or social benefitbesides the payment rent certain housing and basic services, such as water, electricity or gas.
Starting from 2017, financial institutions have the obligation to notify and present these accounts to the requesters and to prove that they meet the requirements. Only non-residents cannot access them and they can be exported from the countrys, non-contributors Required Information in order to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing by the bank “which may harm the interests of the individual” National Security or social order” and those who already have another account.