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Document 32011H0442
Consumer access to basic payment accounts
Tá an achoimre seo curtha sa chartlann agus ní dhéanfar nuashonrú uirthi, toisc nach bhfuil an doiciméad a bhfuil sí ina hachoimre air i bhfeidhm a thuilleadh, é sin nó toisc nach léiriú ar chúrsaí mar atá i láthair na huaire í.
Consumer access to basic payment accounts
Access to basic payment accounts by European consumers should be guaranteed in all European Union (EU) countries. To this end, the Commission presents the general principles which should guide the provision of this type of financial service.
ACT
Commission Recommendation 2011/442/EU of 18 July 2011 on access to a basic payment account (Text with EEA relevance) [OJ L 190 of 21.7.2011].
SUMMARY
European consumers who do not have a payment account should be able to open and use a basic payment account, irrespective of their financial situation or their place of residence in the European Union (EU). The Commission therefore recommends that at least one payment service provider * offers this service in each Member State.
Characteristics of a basic payment account
The payment services offered must enable as a minimum:
Access to a basic payment account should not be made conditional on the purchase of additional services.
Charges associated with a basic payment account
Member States should ensure that the basic payment account is provided either free of charge or at a reasonable charge. Where the provision is not free of charge, the total amount of charges for using the minimum payment services should be reasonable.
In all cases, all other charges provided for in the account contract should be reasonable, including those applied where consumers do not meet their contractual obligations.
The amount of charges to the consumer should be calculated according to the:
Supervision and dispute resolution
Member States should designate competent authorities independent from payment service providers to monitor compliance with these recommendations.
In addition, they should ensure that complaint and redress procedures are put in place in the event of disputes.
Consumer information
If a service provider rejects an application to open an account, it must provide a justification for its refusal and inform the consumer in writing. However, limitations to this right to information may be made by legislative measures on the grounds of national security or public order.
Service providers must provide sufficient information on the specific features of the accounts offered, the associated charges and their conditions of use.
Member States should organise public awareness-raising campaigns concerning the options offered by basic payment accounts, pricing conditions and the options for of out-of-court proceedings in the event of disputes.
Key terms
Last updated: 28.09.2011