Abstract:

The subject of the study is the analysis of safe-deposit services available, the importance of which increases during periods of market turbulence and less confidence in storing money in bank accounts. Excluded are storage services of dematerialized financial instruments (cash, deposit, trust and brokerage accounts), and escrow accounts. The issue was analyzed on the example of the Polish market. The issue is rarely present in studies on banking services. However, the significance of the topic is considerable and increasing, along with the increasing level of demand and wealth of the society, as well as the decreasing confidence in banks and fiat money during crisis periods. Banks underestimate the problem and the offer of non-banking entities remains insufficient. The aim of the study is to show a widening supply gap in the offer of Polish banks. Paradoxically, this is one of the few examples of services deficit on the banking services market.Safe and deposit services have been gaining in importance in recent years, especially during financial crises. Increased demand for so-called safe haven assets, also in material form (gold coins or bars, US dollars, Swiss francs, valuable collector's items, etc.) occur during periods of increased uncertainty or even panic on the financial markets and growing distrust of banks. This took place both in autumn 2008 and in early spring 2020. Due to the nature of the subject matter and the poverty of professional literature, the author bases the analysis on banking information, media communications and his own expert knowledge as a long-time private banking manager at renowned international banks.