Zentralstelle für Kreditinformation

About the Central Office for Credit Information - Association for the leadership of a Central Office for Credit Information ( CEC) - swap Swiss financial services each credit and credit information on individuals and ( to a limited extent ) on legal entities, in order to protect themselves against loan defaults. 2007, about 3 million credit rating inquiries were carried out. December 31, 2010 1'449'303 persons were registered in the CEC database ( 2007: 1'420'185 persons).

The CEC is similar to the Schufa in Germany.

History

Forerunner of the Central Executive Committee was, from 1945 onwards, alarm system '. 1968, the "Association for the leadership of a Central Office for Credit Information ( CEC) " was founded. Since 1974, the information system will be conducted electronically.

Organization

Owner of the CEC data collection is the "Association for the leadership of a Central Office for Credit Information ( CEC) ". The club members finance the club through posts and search fees. The association has a board of directors, an office and a commission for technology and finance.

The association can the CEC information system by IBM Switzerland, Zurich, operate.

The CEC is closely linked to organizational and personnel with the Consumer Credit Information ( IKO ). However, the two bodies are legally independent from each other.

Members

Can be a club member companies from the financial services sector. As of 1 January 2012, the club has 89 members (2010: 85 members; 2008: 88 members), including many universal banks (UBS, Credit Suisse, Raiffeisen Bank Coop, Migros Bank ) and various cantonal banks, leasing companies and card issuers ..

CEC database

The database is registered in the WebDatareg of the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC ) and is managed electronically. They can be integrated into a Customer Information Control System, allowing, for example, the query on web-based applications.

Content

In particular, the CEC database includes the following data:

• Personal data: name, first name, date of birth, address, occupation, marital status ( optional), contractor problems, Vertragspartnerinfrmationen.
• Business data ': loans, leases, credit cards, loyalty cards, payment problems, card loans, office information.

Database entry ( message )

The input to the database is done by standardized messages of the members. For certain transactions ( eg credit applications), the members are notifiable. Otherwise, messages are voluntary. For data messages compensation will be credited.

Database query ( request)

Members, authorized third parties

Access to the database only authorized members and appointed by them, of the Central Executive Committee of authorized third parties. For each query, a request reason must be stated. However, a special proof of interest is not required. The database query is run on specific request or when significant change assessment criteria for persons registered automatically to the affected members. Queries were not included.

A query obligation, members of considering loan requests. Otherwise, the query is voluntary. A typical voluntary query aims to review of any contract offers, running your own contracts or the company owner of a legal person.

Authorities

The CEC - office authorities granted to legitimate requests toward information. CEC data may be passed in Switzerland at cantonal authorities.

Self-disclosure

Every person has a right to information concerning data stored about them in accordance with Article 8 of the Data Protection Act. The right of access may be asserted without proof of principle interest. The information is usually free of charge and must be issued within 30 days. On the right of access can not be waived.

Retention period

The retention period is determined by the registered process. An open credit application is, for example, Stored for 3 months; the reference to a paternalism, however, a maximum of 30 years. Contractor problems are kept for 5 years. Specifically, the retention period can be taken from the regulations.

Scoring

The CEC database contains information on the credit quality in code form. These credit ratings are sold to service providers within and outside Switzerland.

Error correction, complaints

The members are, as any holder of the data collection, in accordance with Article 5 of the Data Protection Act obliged to ensure the completeness and accuracy of data stored by them. Since the CEC lit holders of its data collection within the meaning of Article 3. i of the Data Protection Act, complaints of the contents of a CEC - information can be directed to the club without first contacting the member concerned. In justified cases, the CEC must correct wrong entries.

Disclosure of CEC data

The members are obliged not to pass out of the database -related data to third parties. Complacency queries (eg, to good customers or for personal use of employees ) are not permitted.

Banking secrecy, data protection

The banks among the members are subject to banking secrecy. At least subject to the Data Protection Act, for the remaining members. To protect the members can qualify by their customers for data transmission to the CEC. These are used, for example, terms and conditions or application forms for mortgages, leasing or credit cards.