Question 5877 — banks and financial institutions

Summary

Ms. Alexandra Martin (Alpes-Maritimes) draws the attention of the Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty to a reform of brokerage in banking operations and payment services. For many years, brokers have played an increasingly dominant role in the real estate market. The services they offer are generally appreciated by borrowers, who are increasingly requesting their intermediary when purchasing a property. Their activity is regulated and provided for by law and registered in the monetary and financial code in articles L. 519-1 et seq. Many brokers report the deterioration of their commercial relationships with credit institutions. In fact, many banks refuse to study a file sent by a mandated broker, de facto hindering the client's rights. The conflict that between brokers and banks raises issues of commercial freedom, the right to competition and non-discrimination, which were assessed by the Paris Court of Appeal. In a decision of September 27, 2023 in the case of Bérangère Dubus against Crédit Agricole, the court condemned the bank for refusing to process files presented by non-approved brokers. This judgment reinforces the legitimacy of brokers to act on behalf of clients without the prior requirement of an agreement with banks. Case law thus tends to recognize the representation mandate as binding on third parties and guaranteeing the client free access to banking services through their broker. In a response published on December 20, 2022 in the Official Journal, the Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty recalled that “the commercial code prohibits in article L. 420-1 from limiting access to the market or the free exercise of competition, which should by law prevent banking establishments from ousting brokers from the market. Market players who violate this legislation are exposed to heavy sanctions from the Competition Authority. » In this context, he called “all players in the sector strictly compliance with the provisions provided for by the monetary and financial code, the consumer code and the civil code applicable to banking intermediation activities. Any consumer or professional who considers that this framework has been infringed may refer the matter to the competent French courts. Without contravening the contractual freedom of banks and their control of commercial and legal risk, which gives them the right to choose the brokers with whom they collaborate, a reform of brokerage could be considered which reconciles both the rights of banks and those of consumers. This would be based on three pillars: the strengthening of banking conventions, first, by inviting and allowing brokers to establish a greater number of banking conventions, which would increase their legitimacy and strengthen the quality of the files transmitted; the supervision of bank refusals, then, in order to avoid too great a restriction of access to credit offers. A regulatory framework could be considered to govern the reasons for refusal to take charge of files by banks, thus guaranteeing increased transparency and predictability in the relationship with brokers; a legislative clarification, finally, which clearly sets out the rights and duties of the parties in regarding representation mandates, in order to harmonize practices in the sector. Also, she asks him how the Government intends to resolve the conflict between brokers and banks and whether it is willing to consider a reform of brokerage in banking operations and payment services.

Machine translation from French. The official text remains authoritative.

Timeline

1. 15 April 2025

   Question

   Source: DateQuestion

2. 24 June 2025

   Réponse

   Le Gouvernement suit toujours avec attention l'activité des intermédiaires en opérations de banque et en services de paiement (IOBSP) communément appelés « courtiers » en crédits. L'exercice de leur activité et les services qu'ils rendent aux consommateurs qui choisissent de recourir à leur intermédiation sont prévus par la loi et inscrits dans le code monétaire et financier aux articles L. 519- et suivants. Certains courtiers qui ont choisi de recourir à des contrats de partenariat avec les établissements de crédit font part de dégradation de leurs relations commerciales avec ces organismes bancaires. Il convient de rappeler que l'établissement de crédit est libre de signer ou non un contrat de prêt et qu'il peut choisir son cocontractant en vertu du principe de la liberté contractuelle (article 1101 du code civil). article L. 420-1 du code de commerce interdit les actions concertées, conventions, ententes expresses ou tacites ou coalitions aimed at limiter l'accès au marché ou le libre exercice de la concurrence. Tout consommateur ou professionnel qui estime que ce cadre a été enfreint peut demander réparation auprès du juge civil et saisir la direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes (DGCCRF). La DGCCRF, dans le cadre de ses contrôles, demeure vigilante sur les pratiques des professionnels de ce secteur.

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• Alexandra Martin (Alpes-Maritimes) · auteur

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