French life‑insurance contracts see record‑high deposits in April

French savers poured €17.6 billion into life‑insurance contracts in April, setting a new monthly record. After withdrawals, the net growth of contracts was €5.2 billion, bringing the cumulative net inflow since January to €24.7 billion – the strongest first‑quarter performance in two decades.

The surge reflects investors shifting from the Livret A, whose rate fell to 1.5 % (net of tax), toward life‑insurance products offering around 2.65 % on guaranteed‑capital euro funds. Paul Esmein, director‑general of the insurers’ federation, described the trend as a continuation of patterns observed throughout 2025 and “even more marked since 1 January 2026.”

The sector regulator, the ACPR, warned that some unit‑linked structured products remain high‑cost and risky, noting they may suffer in market corrections. Vice‑president Jean‑Paul Faugère highlighted these concerns, while Esmein pointed to recent improvements in information disclosure to policyholders.