ESIS (standardized info sheet)
European Standardised Information Sheet: a normed document given before the offer, detailing the loan's features, amount, rate, APRC, schedule, guarantees, in a format common across the European Union. It lets several banks' proposals be compared on identical bases. Providing it is a mandatory step.
Key points
- Standardised European document that must be provided before any mortgage offer.
- Sets out key features, APRC, schedule, guarantees, in a unified format.
- Enables direct comparison between proposals from multiple lenders.
- Failure to provide the ESIS is a regulatory breach for the lending institution.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for providing the ESIS to the client?
It is the credit institution that has the legal obligation to provide the ESIS, not the broker. However, the broker should confirm their client has received the document before any signing takes place, and can request a copy from the bank to complete the file. Checking that the ESIS is present is part of the professional's support role.
What is the difference between the ESIS (FISE) and the standardised insurance information sheet (FISA)?
The ESIS covers the loan itself, rate, total cost, mortgage guarantees, while the FISA covers the associated borrower insurance, detailing death, disability and incapacity cover. Both documents are complementary and should be provided together so the borrower can compare the full cost of their financing. A thorough broker always checks that both are present.
How can you use the ESIS to negotiate a better deal?
The ESIS standardises presentation, making it possible to put several banks in direct competition on exactly the same bases. By laying three ESIS documents side by side for the client, the broker can objectively highlight APRC differences, arrangement fees or insurance conditions. This factual comparison also reinforces the broker's perceived value, turning raw documents into actionable advice.
In practice
On a 250,000 € loan requested from two banks, the ESIS documents show an APRC of 3.85% at one and 4.10% at the other. The broker presents the comparison table to the client: the gap amounts to several thousand euros over the life of the loan, objectively justifying the choice of the first offer.
Official sources
- European Standardised Information Sheet (FISE) · Service-Public.gouv.fr
- Article L519-1 of the Monetary and Financial Code · Légifrance
- Prudential supervision and resolution authority · ACPR (Banque de France)