French banks' consumer credit fees rise amid TAEG scrutiny

Bank loans in France are governed by the Annual Percentage Rate (TAEG), which includes interest, insurance, and all mandatory fees. The Banque de France sets an usury ceiling that limits the maximum TAEG a lender can charge, protecting borrowers from excessive costs.

A MoneyVox study of 124 French banks found that most charge dossier fees proportional to the loan amount, typically around 1 % of the principal, with a minimum of €60 and a cap of €300. Only a few institutions apply fixed fees, such as CCF (formerly HSBC) with a €480 charge for loans above €75,000. These fees are incorporated into the TAEG, ensuring transparency and compliance with regulatory limits.