French banks operate under stringent legal obligations to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. When an account holder's activities raise red flags, banks must act to protect themselves and the financial system. The investigation into account closures should recognize that banks are not arbitrary; they follow regulatory guidelines that sometimes lead to difficult decisions.
Affected individuals may not have been told the full reasons due to legal restrictions on tipping off potential suspects. Banks cannot risk alerting customers who may be involved in illicit activities. Instead, they err on the side of caution, which sometimes affects innocent people. But the alternative—allowing suspicious accounts to remain open—could expose the bank to fines and reputational damage.
Financial institutions have a duty to manage risk across all clients, regardless of their profession or political views. The idea of 'banking persecution' misunderstands that banks apply uniform criteria based on transaction patterns and compliance checks. If a journalist or activist writes about topics that attract scrutiny, their account activity may trigger automated reviews.
Regulators already oversee these practices, and any systematic discrimination would be subject to penalties. Until the investigation concludes, it is premature to accuse banks of arbitrariness. They are navigating a complex legal framework, and account closures are often a last resort after internal warnings. Supporting banks' risk management is essential for a stable financial system that serves all legitimate customers.