Nearly 57 million French people have at least one regulated savings account
The Livret A, Livret de Développement Durable et Solidaire and Livret d'Epargne Populaire savings accounts are hugely popular: the funds deposited in these accounts are available at any time, are guaranteed by the French State, and generate interest tax-free.
Around 60% of these savings are centralised at Caisse des Dépôts.
The funds are then converted and put to use according to the Savings Funds’ unique and original model.
Using your savings to serve the public interest
Long-term loans
A portion of these savings is converted into long-term loans of between 30 and 80 years, to finance social housing and urban planning, as well as public interest projects such as revitalising town centres, upgrading water and heating networks, and performing energy retrofits in public buildings such as schools, public transport facilities, universities and hospitals. The loans are offered to social housing organisations and local authorities by the Banque des Territoires and contribute to furthering the ecological transformation of our country and driving a more responsible economy.
In figures
1/4
of the social housing built in France is financed by Caisse des Dépôts, i.e., by French people's savings
83, 741
new social housing units were financed in 2023
105,486
housing units renovated/retrofitted
Financial assets
The other portion of savings, i.e., funds that are not lent to social housing organisations or local authorities, is invested. These investments are highly secure and are designed to ensure that savers can access their money at any time and earn a return on their savings, while financing the French economy. The returns generated by these investments are added back to the Savings Funds’ equity to ensure it can function smoothly.
Watch this 3-minute explainer to find out everything you need to know about this unique and virtuous model designed to convert readily accessible, interest-bearing savings into long-term loans to serve the public interest and develop the economy and France's regions.
