French banks' seizure fees siphon €300 million from low‑income households

An investigation by the Union nationale des associations familiales (UNAF) found that French banks collect several hundred million euros each year in fees on account seizures. The study examined 101 banks and 20 million seizure operations, revealing that 53 % of banks charge a flat fee of €100 or more per seizure, regardless of the amount seized.

These fees apply to private‑creditor seizures (saisie‑attribution and conservatoire) that are not subject to any legal cap, unlike Treasury‑administered seizures which are regulated. The lack of regulation lets banks set fees between €50 and €200 for the same service, creating a disproportionate burden on modest earners – for example, a €200 seizure can result in a €100 fee, halving the remaining balance.

The UNAF report calls for legislative action to close the regulatory gap and protect vulnerable consumers from what it describes as an opaque, profit‑driven practice.