Today the European Parliament voted on a report laying down recommendations to the Commission on Access to Basic Banking, which final aim to overcome the current lack in many Member States of legal or voluntary requirements for providers to offer basic payment services to all consumers legally residing within the EU.

"To be able to have access to basic payment services is matter of social and financial inclusion, given that it has become more and more a prerequisite to access employment, healthcare and housing", said ALDE spokesperson on the dossier  Philippe De Backer (OpenVld, Belgium).

However, De Backer explained: "We have to keep in mind that a basic payment account is a social measure, therefore it should target only those who are in real need, namely the more financially vulnerable consumers and the mobile ones such as Erasmus students and EU pensioners or people living abroad. We should nevertheless avoid that basic payment accounts constitute unfair competition to regular bank accounts".

"Unfortunately still too many Member States fall short in meeting the Commission's previous recommendations to ensure access to basic payment services. That's why we want the Commission to carry out a detailed assessment of the state of play in all EU countries and if needed to present a legislative proposal to guarantee this social provision", concluded De Backer. In the report the Parliament sets clear deadlines, by calling for the assessment to be presented by September 2012 and a directive, if considered necessary, by January 2013.

ALDE MEP Sylvie Goulard (Modem, France), President of the intergroup fighting poverty and social exclusion said: "It is hard to believe that in our developed society, where having a bank account almost determines the existence of an individual and his or her access to basic services, still around 30 million EU adult people do not have one and worse, that 6,4 million either were deprived of it or do not dare to ask for it".

"Vulnerable people must be provided with the tools to integrate themselves. Especially in a time of crisis, where the risk of an increase of social exclusion is so high, EU countries must do their utmost to guarantee that the banking system contributes to social inclusion", she concluded.

A basic bank account should offer basic account management facilities (i.e. opening and closing an account, placing of cash, cash withdrawals, and account statements), standard payment services (i.e. transfers of funds, execution of standing orders, direct debit) at a reasonable price or for free.