After years of dealing with an ever increasing number of English speaking clients in the Languedoc, Crédit Agricole has recently set up a new English speaking service. We have listened to our existing clients, taken stock of their requirements and are now pleased to introduce to you a service which is entirely dedicated to the expectations and needs of English speaking clients, both resident and non-resident. 

We have developed an informative website in English, a bi-lingual team of advisors and a dedicated English speaking telephone line where all your queries can be dealt with without the need to queue in your local branch!  Life is therefore easier for our clients and we can be happy in the knowledge that we’ve done our best for you. 

KeyFinance mortgages are at competitive rates, with the choice of both fixed and variable rate loans, on a capital repayment basis.  The interest rates differ according to the length of the mortgage, to give the maximum amount of flexibility, with the terms ranging from five to twenty five years.  Mortgages are available for the purchase of a main home, secondary residence, investment property, building land, construction and home improvements, with the possibility of deferred and staged payments to suit the needs of the client.   

The Fixed Rate mortgage offers the security of knowing the interest rate and monthly payments for the term of the mortgage.  The Variable Rate mortgage can be more flexible, especially when coupled with the “Capé 3” which means that the rate is capped at 3% above the Euribor rate throughout the term of the mortgage. In the event that the mortgage rate reduces, this lower rate is applied to the account.  We can also offer “Capé 1” and “Capé 2”.  The advantage of the Capé 3 is that it is much more flexible and there are no early repayment penalties. 

All Crédit Agricole mortgages are part of a scheme called “Souplesse”, which gives the borrower the opportunity to alter their monthly payments according to their revenue and needs.  For example: payments can be increased or decreased by up to 30% to give greater flexibility.  In the case of an increase in the rate of a variable rate mortgage, you can choose to increase the monthly payment or to extend the term of the mortgage.  (This option has to be chosen at the start of the loan). 

The fees which are associated with the French mortgage, in addition to the agency fees, are those charged by the Notaire for the legal transaction.  In addition, there is an arrangement fee charged by the bank, usually of around 1% of the amount of the loan; this is quoted as part of the overall project cost by KeyFinance.   

Capital and interest repayment mortgages require that a “hypothèque” is registered by the Notaire, which is the registration of the mortgage as the equivalent of a first charge on the property. The fee for this registration is charged by the Notaire and is also estimated as part of the project cost.  The Notaire’s fees are also estimated, for information purposes, so that the KeyFinance quotation provides a complete picture of the costs involved in the property purchase. 

It is a legal obligation in France that a property is insured on the day of completion of the purchase.  KeyFinance buildings and contents insurance is flexible and offers a “new for old” cover, which is still quite rare in France.  Proof that the insurance is in place will be requested by the Notaire before the final deeds are signed.  Life insurance is similarly a requirement to support a French mortgage; this will be quoted as part of the KeyFinance package. 

Our aim at KeyFinance is to make the entire process as easy as possible; we are ready to listen to your questions and to adapt to meet your requirements whenever we are able to.

CA-KeyFinance

04 66 70 30 96