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France Banking & Finance Guide

BNP Paribas, Société Générale — world-class banks. Livret A (tax-free savings!) and growing fintech scene.

🏦 Major Banks

🏛️ Traditional Banks

BNP Paribas: France's largest. Global bank. Good for expats
Société Générale: #2. Good mobile app
Crédit Agricole: Largest network (rural roots)
La Banque Postale: Post office bank. Easy to open
Crédit Mutuel / CIC: Cooperative bank

📱 Online Banks

Boursorama: #1 online bank (free!). SocGen subsidiary
Fortuneo: Free premium card. Crédit Mutuel
Hello Bank!: BNP's online arm
Revolut / N26: Work in France (EU bank license)
Lydia: French P2P payment app (like Venmo)

📋 Opening Account

Droit au compte: Everyone has RIGHT to a bank account!
Documents: Passport, proof of address, visa/titre de séjour
RIB: Your bank details for salary, bills
Carte Bancaire (CB): Debit card. Visa or Mastercard
Process: Book appointment (rendez-vous)

💰 Savings & Investment

  • Livret A: Tax-free savings! 3% interest. Max €22,950. Everyone should have one. THE French savings account.
  • LDDS: Similar to Livret A. 3%. Max €12,000. Tax-free.
  • PEA: Tax-advantaged stock investing. After 5 years: only 17.2% social charges. Max €150,000.
  • Assurance Vie: Life insurance + investment wrapper. Tax advantages after 8 years. Most popular French investment!
  • PER: Retirement savings. Tax-deductible contributions.