emprunteur

Emprunteur is the term used to designate the person or entity that borrows money under a loan agreement. In civil and commercial law, the emprunteur is the debtor who undertakes to reimburse the lender the principal, together with interest and any fees, in accordance with the contract and applicable law.

The borrower can be an individual (consumer) or a legal entity (business). Loans may be secured or unsecured. Common forms include consumer credit, mortgages, personal loans, and business financing. The lender is typically a bank or other financial institution, but can also be a private lender or a peer-to-peer platform.

Obligations and rights: The emprunteur must provide truthful information for the assessment of creditworthiness; use funds as agreed; repay according to the schedule; and pay interest and fees. If required, the borrower may need to maintain collateral or guarantees. Early repayment or renegotiation might be possible. The borrower has the right to clear information about the total cost of credit and the terms, including the TAEG (Taux Annuel Effectif Global) or equivalent annual percentage rate. In case of default, penalties may apply, and lenders may pursue collection or enforcement, potentially including seizure of collateral if provided.

Context: The term is widely used in banking, consumer credit, and civil law. In many jurisdictions, borrower protections ensure transparency and fair dealing, with disclosure requirements and remedies for misrepresentation or non-disclosure.