Verbatim report of proceedings

Wednesday, 4 July 2012 - Strasbourg

Explanations of vote

Text tabled : A7-0197/2012

  Sergej Kozlík (ALDE), in writing. – (SK) Access to basic payment services is a precondition for benefiting from the internal market, especially from freedom of movement, money transfer and the purchase of goods and services. The annual costs resulting from lack of access to a payment account are estimated to be in the range from EUR 185 to EUR 635 per consumer. At present, 7% of the adult population, or 30 million people, do not have a bank account, while in Bulgaria and Romania, this figure is up to 50% of the adult population. In Finland and Denmark, close to 100% of the population uses payment services. In order to be effective, a basic payment account must be straightforward to open. It is necessary to ensure that understandable information is available to consumers. The EP is calling for the situation in the Member States to be assessed in detail and for a directive to be prepared that ensures access to basic payment services for all consumers, with which I have expressed my agreement.