How French companies can earn more from their liquidity in 2025

In 2025, French companies continue to hold hundreds of billions of euros in non-remunerated or low-yield bank accounts. While inflation remains above 2 %, this idle liquidity silently loses value every month.

With central bank rates still above their long-term average, companies have an opportunity to make their cash work— without sacrificing liquidity or security.

The state of corporate liquidity in France

According to Banque de France data, non-financial corporations hold more than 600 billion € in deposits. The vast majority of this cash is left on current accounts earning close to 0 %.

Meanwhile, alternatives such as:

• Term deposits offer limited yields (~1.5–2 %), often with lock-up periods,
• Government bonds have recovered slightly, but with higher volatility,
• Money market ETFs now deliver returns closer to the ECB deposit rate (around 2 %), with daily liquidity.

The gap between what companies could earn and what they actually earn has never been wider.

Why traditional solutions fall short

1. Term deposits lack flexibility

While they offer slightly better yields than current accounts, they lock cash for several months — not ideal in an unpredictable environment.

2. Bank accounts no longer follow central bank rates

Most banks in France have not passed on the higher ECB rates to their business clients, keeping corporate cash returns near zero.

3. Inflation erodes purchasing power

Even moderate inflation (~2.5 %) means a negative real yield on all idle cash, reducing corporate purchasing power over time.

Smarter liquidity solutions: flexibility and yield

Smart Overnight – liquidity with real yield

• Tracks euro money market rates, directly linked to the ECB deposit rate.
• Daily interest accrual and full liquidity — funds can be withdrawn anytime.
• Suitable for operating cash or short-term reserves.

Amundi High Yield ESG – performance for medium-term reserves

• Invests in diversified European corporate bonds with ESG criteria.
• Benefits when rates decline or spreads tighten.
• Ideal for surplus liquidity with a 6–18 month horizon.

Together, they form a balanced, modern approach: secure liquidity and steady yield.

How Velesios simplifies the process

The challenge for many French companies is access — traditional banks don’t make it easy to invest in ETFs or optimize liquidity.

Velesios changes that by providing:

• A simple onboarding process for businesses and individuals,
• Execution and custody through Interactive Brokers,
• Lower transaction costs via aggregated orders,
• A modern dashboard to track yields, liquidity, and allocation.

This allows treasurers and business owners to act like institutional investors, without complexity.

Conclusion

2025 is the year for French companies to move beyond non-yielding accounts.
With inflation still above 2 % and flexible, low-risk instruments available, earning a real return on liquidity is now accessible to all.

Through Smart Overnight and Amundi High Yield ESG, companies can finally make their cash work — safely, transparently, and efficiently.

FAQ: corporate liquidity and returns

Why don’t banks pay more on deposits?
Because most banks don’t pass through ECB rates to their corporate clients, keeping the margin for themselves.

Is investing in ETFs risky?
Money-market ETFs like Smart Overnight carry minimal risk and daily liquidity. High Yield ESG adds performance with diversification.

Can SMEs access these products?
Yes, through the Velesios platform — everything is handled online, with execution via Interactive Brokers.

Sources & references

• Banque de France – Dépôts des sociétés non financières
• Service-Public – Livret A : taux 1,7 % depuis août 2025
• European Central Bank – Deposit facility rate 2 % (June 2025)
• Amundi – EUR High Yield Corporate Bond ESG UCITS ETF Factsheet