Brussels, 09/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 6 February, the European Commission launched a public consultation on "Financial inclusion: Ensuring access to a basic bank account". This initiative is a follow-up to the 'Single Market for 21st Century Europe' package, where the Commission highlighted the need to ensure that nobody is denied access to a basic bank account. Views from all interested stakeholders are welcome by 6 April 2009 (http: //ec.europa.eu/internal_market/finservices-retail/inclusion_en.htm). A recent Commission fact-finding study on "Financial services provision and prevention of financial exclusion" showed that in some Member States there are no mechanisms in place to guarantee citizens' access to a basic bank account. The consultative document contains a description of the levels, causes and consequences of financial exclusion in the EU. It also presents various policy solutions to address financial exclusion that exist in some Member States, and discusses the possible role for the EU in guaranteeing access to a basic bank account. Finally, it invites stakeholders to express their views on the possible roles which could be played by all stakeholders, both private and public, in achieving this goal. (L.C./trans/rh)