Millions of families across the EU are in a situation of over indebtedness, millions more don’t have access to a basic bank account, another few million don’t have access to basic loans such as mortgage credit in order to buy a home where they can thrive as a family.
COFACE-Families Europe advocates for more responsible lending via for example thorough credit worthiness checks, credit guidance to ensure that credit is allocated for productive activities (funding the real economy), and access to better information and independent quality financial guidance for families. COFACE-Families Europe also defends the right to the access of a basic bank account for all EU citizens without any form of discrimination. COFACE-Families Europe underlines the necessity for all families to have access to certain financial products such as mortgage credit, pensions and saving products to ensure that they can make long-term life investments which are essential for their family life. When families fall into over-indebtedness, it is essential that all Member States provide the right to debt settlement and a fresh start to allow for families to quickly return to the labour market and prevent a negative spiral which ends up costing society more than a full discharge.
As an extension to the financial inclusion policy measures, COFACE-Families Europe has broadened its scope of reflections to encompass a critical examination of our current economic, financial and monetary system, to ensure that they serve society and the general interest as opposed to serving the interests of a select few. Addressing questions such as understanding how money is created, what are the implications of a debt based monetary system and what policies should be put in place to foster positive sustainable growth are at the heart of our reflections.
Key documents:
Report of the seminar “Economics at the Service of Society” organized by COFACE-Families Europe (2019)
Report on social policy and mortgage lending (2018)
Compendium on financial inclusion (2016)
Financial inclusion policy brief (2012)
Credit Insurance policy brief (2012)
Videos:
Accessible and fair financial services for all (2015)
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