65 of TPE officials surveyed cite bank charges

Individuals are not alone in complaining about their bank charges. According to a study of the independent Union which claims in France 25,000 adherents artisans, shopkeepers and very small enterprises (TPE) under 20 employees, to the question "If you had that one criticises to your banker, this was." ", 65 of TPE officials surveyed cite bank charges. "Against all odds", says the study, the restriction of access to credit is is cited that far behind at 7 and the lack of dialogue at 10. Note however that 18 felt "no problem" with their banker. The survey was conducted in two time - between May and September 2010 - by mail, with 7,000 members. About 650 responses were returned.

The study also notes that over 34 of the interviewees have been denied credit in 2009 while 80 of them, their needs were less than 15,000 euros. A situation explaining, according them surveyed, a voluntary policy on the part of banks to focus on the use of overdrafts (to 52,55) to continue to collect fees and agios on them. For Jean - Guilhem Darré, Delegate General of the SDI, it is an issue "to the 1 of banking customers of individuals considered by the report Pauget Constans as in great difficulty because of a recurring charge of payment incidents". When dealing with clients paying lot of agios banking propose cash credit solution in less than 13 of cases.

For the authors of the study, this situation is explained by several factors. One result of the decision of the Agency Advisor "leave the file"in the State"rather than commit to a folder of little interest that is likely to be rejected by its regional branch".

Another reason put forward: the constant improvement of the margins of the banks on overdrafts accounts for four years. Thus, the gap between the rate short term refinancing (Eonia) market and the actual average rate found on overdrafts to enterprises would have multiplied by twelve over the period (see chart).

For the Union, efforts should be made on transparency. For example proposed the signing of conventions of account systématiquesentre Bank and the merchant craftsman with the mention of the authorized overdraft and its renegotiation or information; integration of commissions of intervention. It also calls for the integration of the costs of intervention directly in the calculation of the TEG of overdrafts and, moreover, the development of a coherent presentation of the fee and banking to allow a better comparison between institutions.

In support of its action, the SDI will meet Hervé Novelli, Secretary of State for the craft, trade and SMEs, on 9 November. It will require the creation of a public bank dedicated to the TPE could use the network of Oseo.

Interviewed by "Les echos", the French Banking Federation (FBF) recalled, in turn, that banks are involved for 2010 to 96 billion available to SMEs - TPE, including 58 billion credits short term. And remember that in late August, the funds mobilized by the TPE - SME grew 4 on a year ( 3.6 for the only TPE).

Finally, the FBF has developed the convenient online program for professionals "The keys to the Bank", with guides such as "The need for cash" or "develop its financing plan.

Find the study of the SDI on lesechos.fr/documents