Belgians continue to fund their savings accounts despite persistently low interest rates which fail to offset high inflation, according to data for 2021 provided to Belga by several banks.
Among BNP Paribas Fortis customers (including Fintro), outstanding savings accounts reached 70 billion euros as of December 31, 2021, which corresponds to a growth of 5%.
For Belfius, savings accounts outstanding amounted to € 47.9 billion as of December 31, 2021, or 6.5% more than in 2020.
For KBC, the amount in regulated savings accounts was 53.79 billion euros, up 7.5%.
At Crelan, there is also a sharp increase in regulated savings accounts. At the end of 2021, deposits reached 13.820 billion euros, which represents an increase of 5.31% compared to the end of 2020.
The savings account therefore remains a safe bet despite the rates offered which do not, by far, compensate for inflation. But these accounts have other advantages: they are safe and liquid.
Banks note, however, that their customers are increasingly interested in investment funds and stock market investments.
