Dexia Bank was moved to propose these new services and products to its clients in recognition of the spirit of the times: one-parent families, singles, adoptive families and blended (reconstituted) families are becoming more and more the norm. In Belgium, at the last count, there were 1.5 million single persons, 15% of families were of the "reconstituted" variety, and 8% were one-parent families where dad looked after the kids.
To measure the impact of these changes on the daily and financial life of these new families, Dexia, with Roularta, carried out a comprehensive, internet-based survey in which some 4000 surfers were pleased to participate.
Only 26% of respondents believe that marriage, as an institution, has had its day, while 82% feel that married couples split too easily. If separation is still a prime source of stress, it is one that affects women more than it does men.
What also emerged from the survey was that, for the new families, it is a time of high emotion, with much head-scratching about finances and other specific needs. So, if separation is primarily a question of sentiment, the harsh realities of life very quickly have to be addressed (the child(ren), accommodation, asset-sharing, etc.). Individual independence, which includes financial management, is one of the direct consequences of a separation.
With respect to finances, 66% of respondents claimed to be reasonably well-off, although a striking 82% admitted having had to keep a closer eye on their budget last year; among divorced couples, the figures are 55% and 90% respectively. As regards saving, 69% of respondents said they were able to save, a figure that dropped to 58% following a split.
Most post-separation worries are about the world we live in, the gas & electricity bills and how the children are going to get by.
Separation often implies a search for information: tips and advice to help make ends meet, information on alimony or loans, practical information on daily financial management, etc. As information providers, banks come in third, behind the lawyers and family & friends.
Being the kind of bank that takes pride in its long-term relations with, and knowledge of, its customers, Dexia could not turn a blind eye to these changes in society.
With the launch of the
New Family Plan, Dexia seeks to continue to increase customer satisfaction levels, supplying clients with solutions for their particular situation. The bank’s expertise is at the individual’s disposal, regardless of the family context and changes to it.
Information may be sought from two reliable sources: (a) the branches, where a family adviser is on hand to inform and advise, and (b) an interactive digital platform,
www.dexia.be/newfamilyplan, where interested parties will find all they need to know about the family today and can submit queries or remarks to the bank.
In this venture, Dexia is being partnered by two of the country’s family-focused, not-for-profit associations – the Ligue des Familles and the Gezinsbond – as well as other business partners. Proof that the subject is a matter of concern to society.