Responsible credit brokerage: costs, data and warning signs

Responsible brokerage explains costs, limits and the next step

A credit intermediary connects your enquiry with possible lenders. It is not automatically the bank that concludes the agreement and provides the money. A responsible process makes these roles transparent, checks information clearly and promises no approval before requirements have been clarified.

A professionally designed website, many reviews or a friendly conversation do not replace checking the company and actual offer. Trust comes from verifiable information: who is responsible, what service is provided, how is data used and who decides on the loan?

What must be paid for brokerage

Under Art. 35 of the Consumer Credit Act (KKG), the consumer owes the intermediary no remuneration for brokering consumer credit. The lender’s brokerage costs form part of its total costs and must not be passed on separately to the consumer. A requested “brokerage fee” should therefore be questioned specifically.

This differs from interest under the actual loan agreement and clearly specified other services. A free enquiry does not make the eventual loan interest-free. Check particularly whether an unnecessary paid product is offered alongside it. Do not agree to an unclear service simply because it supposedly speeds up approval.

Check the company and authorisation

Compare the company name, address and contact details in the legal notice with the contract documents. For commercial consumer credit brokerage, check the required cantonal authorisation or an applicable statutory exception. The competent cantonal authority can explain the authorisation procedure. A general claim of being “government-checked” does not replace specific identification.

Brokerage authorisation also does not guarantee your enquiry’s success or the cheapest offer across the entire market. Ask which providers are considered and how the intermediary is paid. A limited selection may be useful, but should not be presented as a complete comparison of every possible lender.

Share personal documents deliberately

Payslips, identity details and budget information are sensitive in everyday life. Use the official contact and submission channels. Ask why a document is needed if the purpose is unclear. Credit assessment requires information, not uncontrolled distribution to an unlimited number of unknown recipients.

The privacy notice should explain who processes data, for what purposes and which recipients or categories may receive it. Informed consent differs from discovering afterwards that many unexpected providers are calling. The right of access helps you check information processed about you.

Take typical warning signs seriously

• Guaranteed approval regardless of income and debts.
• Advance payments to supposedly unlock or release the loan amount.
• Requests to misstate salary, employment or existing commitments.
• Unusual time pressure and no opportunity to read documents.
• Different company names, unknown payment recipients or unverified channels.

Advance-fee fraud generally involves promised sums and payments demanded beforehand. The Federal Office for Cyber Security recommends promptly contacting your bank if you have already paid and reporting financial loss to the police. Such patterns can also occur around supposed financing offers. Paying again is not a reliable way to obtain money already promised.

The actual offer remains decisive

Compare the amount, effective annual interest rate, term, instalment and total repayment. An intermediary can explain differences but should not replace your decision with unclear terminology. For additional insurance, ask about price, exclusions and whether it is optional. A product name such as “security package” does not describe the actual protection.

Responsible advice also discusses a smaller amount or insufficient affordability. A refusal may be professionally correct and does not prove poor brokerage. Conversely, a particularly friendly promise without assessment is not reliable help. The guide to comparing loans shows the main comparison factors.

Pause briefly before confirming

Check your information, whether the requested amount has been carried over correctly and whether you understand the next steps. Keep the offer, agreement and important messages. Where anything is unclear, a concrete answer should be available before you commit.

Further rights are explained in the overview of the Consumer Credit Act. It also helps distinguish free brokerage from subsequent contractual borrowing costs.

Frequently asked questions

Must I pay commission for consumer credit brokerage?

Under Art. 35 KKG, the consumer owes the intermediary no remuneration for this brokerage.

Does authorisation guarantee the best interest rate?

No. It is separate from the individual offer and the scope of the actual provider comparison.

What should I do about a suspicious advance payment?

Do not simply keep transferring money. Check the facts; if you have already paid, contact your bank promptly.

Sources and information date

Information as of 13 October 2026. The applicable rules, individual assessment and contract documents are decisive.

• Consumer Credit Act, Art. 35 and 39–40
• Canton Zurich: authorisation for consumer credit brokerage
• Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner: right of access
• Federal Office for Cyber Security: advance-fee fraud

Credit must not be granted if it would lead to over-indebtedness. A budget calculation provides a non-binding indication, not a loan offer.