Closure of bank branches

Question for written answer  E-001424/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Pascal Arimont (PPE)

According to recent figures from the European Central Bank[1], the bank branch network is getting thinner by the day. Structural financial indicators show an average decline in the EU of 6.3%. There was found to be a decline in 25 out of 27 EU Member States, and at the national level the decline in the number of branches varied from 0.9% to 37%. According to press reports[2], at least one bank branch closes every day in Belgium - a trend that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the digitalisation of banking services has been gaining momentum, raising concerns that older people are being left behind as a result.

• 1.What does the Commission intend to do about the continuous closure of bank branches?
• 2.Against this background, are Member States complying with the obligations laid down in the Payment Accounts Directive (2014/92/EU, in particular Articles 16 and 17 thereof), on the basis of which consumers are guaranteed the right to open and use payment accounts with basic features?

• [1] European Central Bank, EU Structural Financial Indicators: End 2019, 8 June 2020.
• [2] https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20210303_98178791