Brussels, 06/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has initiated a consultation exercise that will run until Wednesday 17 November on improving social insertion through access to basic banking services. Interested parties are asked to comment on a range of ideas that could form part of a harmonisation programme at EU level. The basic banking package might include the opening of a current account for basic financial transactions over the counter and also electronically. The opening of a basic bank account would not entitle the holder to overdraft facilities or more sophisticated products like bank loans, insurance or pensions saving schemes. Thirty million Europeans over the age of 18 have no access to basic banking services. (M.B./transl.fl)