Guide
Understand credit before you sign.
Interest, creditworthiness, refinancing, budget — we explain what you really need to know. No jargon, no sales pressure.
BudgetHow much loan can I afford?
What matters is not your gross salary but your freely available income — the amount that remains after all countable costs. That is exactly what the bank review...
CreditworthinessA loan despite a debt-collection entry – is it possible?
A debt-collection entry (Betreibung) can make it harder to obtain a loan, but it does not necessarily rule one out. In Switzerland, every lender assesses indivi...
CreditworthinessCredit Assessment in Switzerland: How It Works
A credit assessment is a central part of every loan application in Switzerland. It serves to evaluate the applicant's creditworthiness. Here you'll learn how th...
CreditworthinessZEK entry Switzerland: what is recorded and what it means for your loan
The ZEK entry is the most important data record a bank sees about you when you apply for a loan in Switzerland. The Central Office for Credit Information (ZEK) ...
BasicsEffective Annual Interest Rate: How to Compare Loans Correctly
The effective annual interest rate is the most important comparison figure for consumer loans in Switzerland. It includes all costs of a loan and enables a fair...
LawSwiss Consumer Credit Act (KKG): What It Regulates and What It Doesn't
The Consumer Credit Act (KKG) is Switzerland's central law protecting borrowers. It sets out the conditions under which a consumer loan may be granted, what rig...
LawRepaying a loan early: your right without penalty fees
In Switzerland, you can repay any consumer loan early at any time – in full or in part. The lender may not charge you a prepayment penalty for this. This right ...
BudgetDeducting Loan Interest From Your Taxes: How It Works
In Switzerland, interest on consumer loans is tax-deductible. You can deduct the interest you paid from your income in your tax return – for direct federal tax ...
BudgetCalculating your credit capacity: how banks determine your maximum loan amount
Your credit capacity determines whether and how much credit you can get. Under the Swiss Federal Act on Consumer Credit (KKG, Art. 28–31), banks are required to...
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