Agreement loan (PC)
Credit granted by a bank that has signed an agreement with the state, with no income test, in some cases opening entitlement to housing aid. Its rate is capped and it can finance up to the entire operation. It suits households wanting a regulated framework and reduced guarantee costs.
Key points
- Granted by a bank holding a state agreement; no income test required.
- The rate is capped by regulation, keeping cost in check regardless of market conditions.
- Can finance up to the full purchase price, including costs in some cases.
- May entitle the borrower to housing benefit under APL conditions, lowering effective monthly cost.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the agreement loan less well-known than the PTZ despite being open to everyone?
Banks rarely promote this product because the regulated rate cap limits their margin. The broker adds real value by proposing it to clients who want reduced guarantee fees, especially when the PTZ is out of reach because the borrower is not a first-time buyer.
Is housing benefit (APL accession) automatic with an agreement loan?
No: it depends on the household's income and housing criteria (age of property, size). The broker should check eligibility with the CAF before including it in the budget summary presented to the borrower.
What is the difference between an agreement loan and a PAS?
The PAS is a means-tested version of the agreement loan; its income thresholds are tighter but its fees are even lower. In practice, the PAS targets modest households, while the agreement loan is open without any income requirement.
In practice
A couple who are not first-time buyers purchasing a resale property at €180,000 can use an agreement loan to cover the full price and benefit from reduced guarantee fees via a mutual guarantee company, potentially saving several hundred euros compared with a conventional mortgage charge.
Official sources
- Conventioned loan (PC) · Service-Public.gouv.fr
- Obtaining a mortgage loan · Service-Public.gouv.fr
- Mortgage credit (official guide) · Service-Public.gouv.fr