Payment incident
An event arising from a borrower's inability to meet a loan instalment or direct debit. Depending on nature and frequency, it may lead to registration on the FICP (for credit incidents) or the FCC (for bounced cheques). An isolated incident can be explained and contextualised in the file; repeated incidents make financing almost impossible without prior account clean-up.
Key points
- A credit incident may lead to registration on the FICP, accessible to all French banks.
- Repeated bounced cheques trigger registration on the FCC at the Banque de France.
- A single, well-explained incident can still be financed; repeated incidents block the application.
- The broker checks for FICP registration upfront before submitting any application.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the FICP and the FCC?
The FICP records credit repayment defaults, while the FCC covers incidents related to bounced cheques and abusive card withdrawals. Both registers are managed by the Banque de France and can be consulted by financial institutions when a credit application is made.
Can someone obtain a home loan with a past payment incident?
It depends on the number of incidents, how long ago they occurred, and whether they were resolved. A single incident settled more than two years ago is often accepted if the rest of the file is strong. The broker knows which lenders are most lenient on this criterion and how to highlight the client's financial recovery.
How can a borrower challenge what they consider an unjustified FICP registration?
The borrower can contact the institution that reported the incident to request correction or removal. If refused, they may refer the matter to the Banque de France or the banking ombudsman. The request should include proof of settlement (payment receipt, incident closure letter).
In practice
A borrower had a direct debit rejected following a bank account switch in 2022, leading to a FICP registration lifted after settlement within 30 days. In 2025, the partner bank accepts the file given the swift regularisation and clean statements since then.
Official sources
- Obtaining a mortgage loan · Service-Public.gouv.fr
- Mortgage credit (official guide) · Service-Public.gouv.fr