France's Livret A sees record net withdrawals in May 2026

In May 2026 French savers pulled €630 million more from the Livret A than they deposited, marking the fifth consecutive month of net outflows – a pattern unseen since 2009. The Caisse des Dépôts reported that the total balance of the Livret A stood at roughly €447 billion at month‑end, still sizable given the account’s 58 million holders.

The persistent “décollecte” follows a rate cut that left the Livret A’s interest at 1.5 % since February, below the 2.4 % inflation rate recorded in May. Similar net withdrawals were observed in the LDDS and LEP accounts. Meanwhile, life‑insurance contracts attracted record inflows, with contributions reaching €17.6 billion in April, as savers seek higher yields.

Authorities anticipate a possible rate revision in early August 2026, with the minister of the economy and the governor of the Banque de France expected to decide by mid‑July. The trend highlights a shift in household saving behaviour amid low returns on regulated accounts.