Directive 2014/17/EU of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

Section ‘3. Main features of the loan’

(1) This section shall clearly explain the main characteristics of the credit, including the value and currency and the potential risks associated with the borrowing rate, including the ones referred to in point (8), and amortisation structure.

(2) Where the credit currency is different from the national currency of the consumer, the creditor shall indicate that the consumer will receive a regular warning at least when the exchange rate fluctuates by more than 20 %, where applicable the right to convert the currency of the credit agreement or to the possibility to renegotiate the conditions and any other arrangements available to the consumer to limit their exposure to exchange rate risk. Where there is a provision in the credit agreement to limit the exchange rate risk, the creditor shall indicate the maximum amount the consumer could have to pay back. Where there is no provision in the credit agreement to limit the exchange rate risk to which the consumer is exposed to a fluctuation in the exchange rate of less than 20 %, the creditor shall indicate an illustration of the effect of a 20 % fall in the value of consumer’s national currency relative to the credit currency on the value of the credit.

(3) The duration of the credit shall be expressed in years or months, whichever is the most relevant. Where the duration of the credit can vary during the lifetime of the contract, the creditor shall explain when and under which conditions this can occur. Where the credit is open-ended, for example, for a secured credit card, the creditor shall clearly state that fact.

(4) The type of credit shall be clearly indicated (e.g. mortgage credit, home loan, secured credit card). The description of the type of credit shall clearly indicate how the capital and the interest shall be reimbursed during the life of the credit (i.e. the amortisation structure), specifying clearly whether the credit agreement is on capital repayment or interest-only basis, or a mixture of the two.

(5) Where all or part of the credit is an interest-only credit, a statement clearly indicating that fact shall be inserted prominently at the end of this section using the wording in Part A.

(6) This section shall explain whether the borrowing rate is fixed or variable and, where applicable, the periods during which it will remain fixed; the frequency of subsequent revisions and the existence of limits to the borrowing rate variability, such as caps or floors.

The formula used to revise the borrowing rate and its different components (e.g. reference rate, interest rate spread) shall be explained. The creditor shall indicate, e.g. by means of a web address, where further information on the indices or rates used in the formula can be found, e.g. Euribor or central bank reference rate.

(7) If different borrowing rates apply in different circumstances, the information shall be provided on all applicable rates.

(8) The ‘total amount to be reimbursed’ corresponds to the total amount payable by the consumer. It shall be shown as the sum of the credit amount and the total cost of the credit to the consumer. Where the borrowing rate is not fixed for the duration of the contract, it shall be highlighted that this amount is illustrative and may vary in particular in relation with the variation in the borrowing rate.

(9) Where the credit will be secured by a mortgage on the immovable property or another comparable security or by a right related to immovable property, the creditor shall draw the consumer’s attention to this. Where applicable the creditor shall indicate the assumed value of the immovable property or other security used for the purpose of preparing this information sheet.

(10) The creditor shall indicate, where applicable, either:

a)

‘maximum available loan amount relative to the value of the property’, indicating the loan-to-value ratio. This ratio is to be accompanied by an example in absolute terms of the maximum amount that can be borrowed for a given property value; or

b)

the ‘minimum value of the property required by the creditor to lend the illustrated amount’.

(11) Where credits are multi-part credits (e.g. concurrently part fixed rate, part variable rate), this shall be reflected in the indication of the type of credit and the required information shall be given for each part of the credit.