Nearly one in three households faces immediate financial problems if unexpected costs arise

31 percent of Dutch households face immediate financial problems if the cost of living or fixed expenses increase unexpectedly. This is the outcome of a study by Ipsos I&O commissioned by ABN AMRO Helps, a division of the bank that provides free support around finances and banking. These results highlight a harsh reality: more than half of Dutch households are not financially healthy and lack sufficient buffers. ABN AMRO encourages people with money worries to take action and not hesitate to ask for help.

The study also shows that people don’t always see asking for help as an obvious step. Although 77 percent indicate they could use assistance with banking and financial matters, the vast majority of these people (91 percent) do not seek it. Dutch people often find it difficult to ask for help and mainly turn to their partners or families. On top of that, a quarter put this off for as long as possible and don’t reach out until it is in fact too late, while the bank says early support can be preventive and can enhance financial health. "Do not hesitate to ask for help; support is often closer than you think," says Laura Wetser, Director of Financial Health at ABN AMRO.

Seeking help makes things better

Whether you need to get control over your finances or have questions about paying with the app, Wetser advises proactively seeking support if you’re unsure about anything – either from the bank or from the people around you. “It’s quite normal to feel uncertain about your finances at times, especially when you’re entering a new phase of life and your needs change.” With this in mind, the bank also tries to anticipate the need for help by reaching out to people who are struggling for any reason. “We are already seeing this approach yield results: In May, nearly five times as many clients came forward with questions about their finances,” says Wetser.

The bank is encouraged by the recent increase in openness to professional support. Advisers at ABN AMRO Helps now see people of all ages seeking support with their banking or finances. Wetser explains: “Knowing that most people prefer to manage their banking online, we help them move forward with a personal meeting or online tips and tools when they get stuck." To accommodate the increase in requests for help and assist more people in the way that suits them best, the bank is doubling the number of advisers in the Netherlands. “By comparison: staff at ABN AMRO Helps assisted 100,000 people last year. We expect to be able to support even more people this year,” says Wetser.

Why don’t we always ask for help?

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About ‘ABN AMRO Helps – when you need a hand’

ABN AMRO believes it is important for everyone to be able to manage their own banking. In addition, the bank aims to keep all clients financially healthy by offering a wide range of support. Inclusive banking means accessibility for everyone, regardless of their age, financial background, or financial knowledge. ‘ABN AMRO Helps’ is bringing help and information closer to everyone. The goal is to ensure that clients readily turn to the bank, whether it’s to ask a quick question or for confirmation that what they have done was correct. With a growing number of clients helped each year and more personal contact than ever, the combination of digital self-reliance and personal assistance is proving effective. By running the campaign ‘ABN AMRO Helps – When You Need a Hand’ the bank is anticipating the need for help by proactively reaching out to clients and highlighting the various ways ABN AMRO can support them.

About the Ipsos I&O study

The study was conducted by Ipsos I&O on behalf of ABN AMRO between February and June 2024. The study involved 1,500 Dutch people aged 18 and older, representative* by gender, age and education. They were asked about their knowledge of ten of the most commonly used aspects of banking and financial matters, their need for help, and their experience in providing help. You can see the main results here.

*About the study:

The study was conducted online, which excluded people with limited reading skills, digital skills, or limited internet access. People who assist others with their financial and banking affairs were included. Additionally, ABN AMRO commissioned Branddoctors in October 2023 to conduct qualitative research among clients and non-clients who, for various reasons, have difficulty managing their banking and finances. The results were compared with the Ipsos I&O study for a comprehensive picture.