A hand flips through payment history documents in a sleeve.
17.10.2021

Everything you need to know about ZEK

As Switzerland's central credit information agency, ZEK is now a key player in the credit landscape. We explain why and how it affects you.

 

The ZEK. What is it exactly?

It is a database that collects information from several lenders in Switzerland. ZEK is an acronym for 'Zentralstelle für Kreditinformation' or 'Central Credit Information Office'.

Whether you are a private individual or a company, these bodies transmit data relating to your history as a customer; In particular, when you take out a lease, when you take out a loan, when you make a purchase or when you take out a credit card.

All this data is then processed and coded to determine the quality of your creditworthiness. This allows lenders to better judge the degree of risk when it comes to extending credit or, for example, making a forward sale.

 

Who is behind the ZEK?

The lending bodies themselves. If you visit the ZEK website, you will have access to a list of its members. These are mainly banks, financial institutions specializing in credit and other lending companies.

The association is headquartered in Zürich and is governed by a Board of Directors and an Executive Board of Directors. Who sits on it? Representatives of the association's members such as Migros Bank, Multilease or BMW's financial arm.

It is therefore not a public body but a private association.

 

So it's not the IKO?

ZEK, IKO, it's true that you can get lost.

The two associations work closely together. Both manage databases and share similar objectives in terms of collecting and sharing creditworthiness-related information. However, IKO adheres to the framework defined by the Consumer Credit Act (LCC) of 23 March 2001. The ZEK operates within a framework that goes beyond the constraints set by the LCC, particularly in terms of the amounts committed. In a way, the ZEK casts a wider net.

However, the membership is identical, and some representatives of the lending institutions sit on the respective committees of the two associations. We can therefore speak of two independent entities but closely linked in their vocation and creation.

 

What about my personal data? Are they verifiable? Are they protected?

The short answer is yes. As soon as you have  a credit card, activate a lease, take out a loan or borrow any kind, the lender will transmit your customer history to the ZEK. 

Note that your history is not necessarily negative. As a good payer, you will of course receive a positive rating. Different grades of scoring reflect the type of history assigned to you depending on the characteristics of the data received.

Any organisation can then access your data, either as a member of the ZEK or by making a simple request via an online form. You are also able to make this request yourself after confirming your identity. As a private person, you cannot, of course, check the status of another private or legal person.

Finally, to quote the ZEK about data privacy: "In accordance with the ZEK's statutes and regulations, our members may use the data in our database solely for credit and application verification purposes. Other uses, e.g. for marketing purposes or transmission to unauthorized third parties, are strictly prohibited. »

 

How can I verify my data?

A dedicated page is dedicated to it on the ZEK website. You can request your information via an online form that is made available. 

Please note that you may incur certain costs if the information stored about you has already been transmitted in the last twelve months without it having been modified.

 

How long will my data be stored?

It all depends on what data it is. This can range from 2 months for a simple balance notification on a credit card and without this information being considered negative, to 30 years for a tutorship or curatorship. 

On average, however, it takes between 2 and 5 years for the majority of cases. 

An important piece of information concerns the refusal of a requested loan! It is important to know that a refusal generates a code that appears in the database and remains there for 2 years. It is therefore essential to go through an organization such  as Milenia as a prerequisite for sending your application to a lending institution. In this way, you safeguard your chances of success for the future.

How can I correct my data if it is incorrect?

But your data must be. Good question!

This is because an error can occur. After all, it's a person who conveys the information and to err is human. 

In addition, the data provided is often based on indisputable facts, but in other cases it may not be a true reflection of reality. Think of a dispute in the context of a purchase that would have justified a late payment or an address that was incorrectly noted when sending payment reminders. 

In some cases, the collection may not be representative of an intention not to pay a justified invoice for which payment is due. However, non-payment is transmitted as data in the system and negatively coded.  

The ZEK invites anyone who disputes its history to go through the lending body to rectify the situation. Of course, this may take time or even not be feasible. The ZEK also says it is monitoring the protests.

If in doubt, don't hesitate to contact Solvable, ourpartner in this area. They know the ins and outs and have proven experience in the field.

 

What does Milenia do with the ZEK?

As the leading financing platform in Switzerland, Milenia protects your interests as well as those of its banking partners.

A balanced loan, respectful of your means and adapted to your needs, will allow you to carry out your project. 

Your advisor will therefore be keen to follow all legal and ethical guidelines to offer you the best offer on the market.

The ZEK is part of the arsenal available to your advisor to ensure that your credit application is responsible and passes the analysis carried out by the lending institution. It is a service that is provided to you free of charge and without obligation on your part. Quality is one of Milenia's values and you benefit from it.

 

Final Words

ZEK, IKO, Debt Enforcement Office... The financial sector and the authorities are taking the necessary measures to reduce the risk for any private or legal person contracting a service or sale. This may seem intrusive, but it also has the merit of avoiding cases of over-indebtedness.

For or against centralizing data, this is a reality. The EEZ merely reflects a history of activities and makes this information available to interested parties. 

So choose a serious and responsible partner when considering a loan; one that will offer you a truly personalized service and that will use tools such as ZEK for you and not against you.

Finally, take advantage of rates starting at 3.9%  and simulate your loan in terms of terms and monthly instalments on our website. Here you will find all the information you need in a clear, simple and transparent way.

 

 

 



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Since the Covid pandemic, companies have multiplied remote working methods. The most widely used is telecommuting. Two years later, has this method been successful?

 

Let's take a step back

During the lockdown, the world of work experienced a real shift.

Companies had to adapt and various means were put in place to ensure the continuity of services, sales, and the very functioning of the organization.

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The famous cardboard box filled with a computer, a mouse and a screen that the employees took home...

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Ah... What wonderful memories!

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Finally, regular reviews were required to assess the effectiveness of telework policies and gather feedback from employees.

The big winners? Zoom, Teams, Skype, Webex... It was a good time and the number of users exploded

 

Video conferencing platforms

In order to establish clear and effective communication channels, it is necessary to have instant messaging and video conferencing tools to maintain smooth communication between team members. This transition is being made by different players who bring specificities specific to each sector.

You may have seen that.

Some companies will use the Zoom platform, which allows simple video conferences with a discussion thread, which is easy to use and not very connected to other services.

Others will use Microsoft Teams or Webex, which offer more integrated and secure business solutions.

Skype and Google Meet round out the market leaders, at least in Europe.

 

And what about employers?

The main fear of some employers during this pandemic?

Decreased productivity.

The prevailing thought was that employees, less supervised than before, would work less given this new organizational freedom.

The endless breaks, the last-minute shopping, the Netflix binging...

We're not going to lie, the majority of teleworkers have taken advantage of this to better combine professional and personal needs.

There have been many productivity studies, too many to mention here.

In the end, productivity dropped slightly on average, but this varied enormously depending on the functions and responsibilities.

Profiles whose tasks were recurrent completed their work more quickly and, not needing to do more, to take advantage of the time available to go about their personal business.

Others worked even harder, especially early in the morning, late at night, or on weekends.

Where some managers suffered from a lack of supervision (monitoring?) of their teams; Some employees did not take well to the distance, the lack of clarity on the establishment of rules... All of them missed interpersonal relationships and this may have impacted the corporate culture and sense of well-being.

In conclusion, there is neither one statistic valid for everyone nor a representative feeling of all employers and employees. However, there is no doubt that the world of work has changed and the effects continue today.

 

Exactly. And today?

Companies are adapting to the demands of employees, especially young people entering the workforce.

They demand flexibility, adapted schedules and, yes, telecommuting.

In Switzerland, the job market is in favour of job applicants. Companies must therefore remain attractive and take these demands into account.

Companies are implementing hybrid work modes that allow the employee more time to work from home but require them to be present for a certain number of days in the office. Again, there is no single rule.

Some organizations simply refuse the principle of remote work.

Others impose a fixed day of attendance.

Some leave the choice to their teams.

One thing is for sure, remote work is here to stay, in one form or another.

More than controlling productivity, more than managing teams and workloads, the real challenge is to keep the links between employees, to ensure proximity between managers and their teams.

Finding a balance between the attractiveness of the employer brand, individual well-being and the needs of the company; This is where the effort must be directed for the future.

 

At work and at home, Milenia is always available

Accessing credit through our financing platform has never been easier.

Everything is within your reach, with customization according to your projects, we accompany you from start to finish so that your projects can see the light of day.

For your personal loan, we offer the best market conditions with 0 application fees. Everything is designed to make your life easier.

Your loan application can be done entirely remotely, with support from your personal advisor or both at the same time.

The flexibility, adaptability, personalization of your offer... All of this is embedded in our approach and services.

As the leading credit player in Switzerland, place your trust in us so that your personal dreams and projects come true.

 

 

 

 

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When it comes to your money and a contractual commitment, there's no need to rush. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice.

 

What exactly are we talking about?

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One egg, one basket.

If you want to continue with a credit application, don't rush!

Above all, do not file multiple applications with different providers or banks.

Each request is logged and will block your access to a favorable response.

Compare, choose your financial partner wisely and, if the conditions are met, draw up your file with them.

To make a fair choice, take advantage of the service offered by a financing platform. It's online and it's easy.

 

Compare what, exactly?

The quality, the network, the accessibility and, of course, the conditions.

By quality, we mean the clarity of the information provided and the transparency of the platform. 

Are there testimonials from satisfied customers? Is there an independent quality body involved, such as Proven Expert? Is the team running the company clearly displayed? Is the company based in Switzerland?

As far as  the network is concerned, the quality and scope of the network will determine the quality of the offers offered to you. Check the partners page or search for published articles or the platform's blog if it exists. 

It is preferable to do business with a major player in the market that has serious, even exclusive, partnerships with recognized banks.

Accessibility. An online solution is often less time-consuming and just as relevant as if you went to an agency. However, it will be necessary to speak with an expert, go through your file in person and have live advice. 

Be sure that you will be able to access this service.

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Secondly, do not sign anything when you are in a comparative or information-seeking process. Your file must first be well completed and analysed and it is only when you make a credit proposal following the acceptance of your application that you will have the opportunity to sign or not.

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Do you have any questions?

We invite you to inquire via Milenia. You will have the opportunity to simulate your credit, learn about our solutions, get to know our team, ask your questions, browse through our customer testimonials and discover our articles on our blog.

Take your time, compare and when your choice is made, we will be at your side to carry out your project. Under the right conditions, with confidence and transparency.

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Loan illustration: loan of CHF 10'000. Effective annual interests rates between 4.9% and 11.95% over a 12 month period lead to total interests of between CHF 261.80 and CHF 624.80. Duration: 6-120 months; Maximum annual interest rate (including all loan handling costs) 11.95%. Loans approval are prohibited if they lead to excess debt for the consumer. (Art. 3 LCD)

 

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