What Guarantee for What Credit? Understand the Right Security for Your Loan in 2026
When you apply for a loan, the question of guarantees (also called securities) is essential. Whether you are taking out a mortgage, a personal loan or a professional credit, the right type of guarantee can make the difference between a refusal and an approval on good terms.
Discover how real securities, personal securities, the assignment of receivables and suretyship work, and how they can secure your project while protecting the lender against the risk of non-payment.
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Understand which guarantee is best suited to your credit profile before submitting your application.
- Clarify the difference between real and personal securities
- Know when a spouse or third party signature is required
- Anticipate bank expectations to strengthen your file in 2026
The Concept of a Guarantee in a Credit Application
Granting credit is never risk-free. When a borrower can no longer repay their debt, the bank or lender is exposed to a financial loss. That is why many applications must be backed by one or several guarantees, especially when the borrower’s own financial situation does not provide sufficient comfort for the lender.
A well-structured guarantee can both reassure the lender and sometimes allow you to negotiate better credit conditions (amount, duration, or rate), depending on your overall profile.
Legal Forms and Publicity Obligations
Most securities are subject to strict legal formalities. These formalities exist to protect both the borrower and the lender and to make the guarantees enforceable against third parties. For example, a gratuitous suretyship – when a third party (parent, friend, partner) commits themselves alongside you – must generally be documented in a separate surety agreement, distinct from the credit contract. This document specifies the scope, duration and conditions under which the surety can be called upon. Similarly, the creation of a mortgage (a real security on real estate) usually requires an authentic notarial deed and registration in the relevant public registers (such as the Mortgage Registry). Failure to observe these formalities can significantly reduce, or even completely nullify, the value and enforceability of the guarantee.Types of Guarantees: Real vs. Personal Securities
Guarantees can be grouped into two major families: real securities and personal securities. Each operates differently and has its own advantages depending on the borrower’s situation and the type of project financed.Real securities are linked to one or more specific assets, movable or immovable:
- Pledges on movable property (for example, certain financial assets or vehicles);
- Mortgages on immovable property (real estate used as collateral for a loan).
Personal securities involve a third party – a natural or legal person – who commits to repay the credit if the main borrower fails.
The most common form is the suretyship, where the guarantor’s assets may be used to settle the debt if the borrower does not fulfil their obligations. This commitment must be carefully weighed, as it can have significant financial consequences for the guarantor.
Strengthening Your Credit Application with the Right Guarantee
It is not uncommon for an initial credit application to be refused because the solvency guarantees presented by the client are deemed insufficient. This does not necessarily mean your project is not viable, but rather that the lender needs additional comfort to take on the risk. In these situations, our brokers analyse your profile and work with you to identify appropriate solutions. For instance, in the case of a couple married under a separation of property regime, if one spouse wishes to take out a loan in their own name to purchase real estate, the lender may require the signature of the other spouse as an additional guarantee. This enlarges the financial base on which the repayment capacity is assessed. You may also consider involving a third party as personal security (surety). This person commits themselves alongside you and can fundamentally improve the risk profile of your application. By strengthening the guarantees, you increase the chances of obtaining a positive decision on your credit request, sometimes with more favourable conditions and within a shorter timeframe.Why Work with Our Brokers for Your Credit Guarantees?
Navigating between real securities, personal securities, assignment of receivables and suretyship can be complex. Our experts help you make clear, informed choices that match your goals and your financial situation.Personalised Guidance
Our brokers assess your profile in detail and advise you on the most suitable type of guarantee for your project, whether it involves real estate, personal or professional credit.
Secure and Compliant Documentation
We help ensure that all legal formalities (contracts, notarial deeds, registrations) are properly completed, so that your guarantees are valid and enforceable in 2026 and beyond.
Optimised Approval Chances
By structuring the right combination of guarantees, we work to improve your chances of approval and help you obtain conditions that are aligned with your capacity and objectives.