French banks launch €300 welcome bonuses and lower mortgage rates in August

Hello bank! announced a new welcome offer for customers who open a first account online before 10 August 2026. New clients can receive up to €300 in benefits, including a €130 welcome premium and a €170 shopping voucher when they use the free mobility service Hello Start+. The offer also provides a six‑month free Hello Prime subscription for qualifying accounts.

At the same time, several French lenders – La Banque Postale, Crédit Mutuel, Caisse d’Epargne and others – are promoting reduced mortgage rates for August. The Caisse d’Epargne Provence‑Alpes‑Côte‑d’Azur lowered its complementary Immo+ loan rate to 1.99% (from 2.49%) for primary‑residence purchases, while its Primo Jeunes product offers a 0% loan of up to €20,000 for borrowers under 36. Similar zero‑percent and sub‑3% rates are being offered by Banque Populaire and regional branches, targeting first‑time buyers and high‑income profiles.