Banque de France blacklisting: 3 solutions for continuing to pay and be paid

The Banque de France manages two separate registers that are frequently confused. The FICP (Fichier des Incidents de remboursement des Crédits aux Particuliers) records incidents related to the non-repayment of consumer or mortgage loans. The FCC (Fichier Central des Chèques) records cheque payment incidents and improper use of payment cards. A person can be listed on one, the other, or both simultaneously. In both cases, being listed does not remove the right to use one's own money. It restricts access to certain services related to credit or cheques, but it does not constitute a general prohibition on having access to payment methods or receiving funds. In the face of this situation, three solutions make it possible to maintain a normal financial life.

Solution #1: the right to a bank account

The right-to-a-bank-account procedure is provided for under Article L. 312-1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code. Any person residing in France who does not hold an active deposit account and has been refused account opening by a credit institution may apply to the Banque de France. The Banque de France then designates an institution, which is required to open an account with basic banking services: a systematically authorised card, the ability to receive transfers, a monthly account statement and the facility to set up regular direct debits.

This procedure is free of charge and constitutes an enforceable right. However, it involves processing times that can span several weeks between the initial application, the designation of an institution and the actual opening of the account. It is suited to situations where no other solution is immediately available, but it does not provide an urgent response.

It is also worth noting that the right to a bank account does not lift the FCC or FICP listing. The account opened under this framework remains limited to basic services, and the designated institution is not required to offer any additional services.

Solution #2: an independent payment account with a dedicated IBAN

An electronic money institution is not a credit institution and is therefore not required to consult the FICP or FCC before opening a payment account. Account opening is subject to mandatory identity verification (KYC), in line with anti-money laundering regulations, but it is independent of any listing on these registers.

Once opened, the Veritas electronic money account comes with a dedicated RIB and IBAN in the account holder's name, immediately operational. This IBAN can be used to receive a salary, family allowance payments from the CAF, unemployment benefits, reimbursements or any incoming transfer from any account in the SEPA zone. It also allows outgoing transfers to other accounts, to pay rent, repay someone or settle a bill with a service provider.

For a person listed on the FCC or FICP, this arrangement provides a personal and functional financial address, with no conditions linked to their incident history. The service involves usage fees set out in the pricing conditions, which should be factored into monthly budget management.

Solution #3: paying bills with no risk of overdraft

The Veritas systematically authorised prepaid card can be used to make online purchases, pay subscriptions, settle regular bills or pay for everyday services wherever the Mastercard network is accepted. The principle is constant: each transaction is checked against the available balance in real time. If the balance is insufficient, the transaction is declined. It is impossible to generate an overdraft or commit to spending more than the funds actually held in the payment account.

For a person listed on the FICP or FCC, whose financial situation is often already precarious, this mechanism offers a major structural advantage: using this service cannot under any circumstances generate new debt. There are no interest charges, no penalty fees for exceeding a limit and no debit interest. Funds loaded onto the account remain under the exclusive control of the account holder, with no risk of unexpected charges linked to an overdraft or incident fees.

This secure framework makes it possible to regain daily control over one's budget, pay regular bills online or by outgoing transfer from the dedicated IBAN, and gradually rebuild sound financial habits without any risk of making the existing situation worse.

Similar articles