The financial market in Portugal has undergone major changes in recent years. Consumers are increasingly looking for faster, more transparent, and more personalized solutions when they need financing, whether for a mortgage, car loan, or personal loan. In this context, an essential figure emerges: the credit intermediary.

What is a credit intermediary?

According to Decree-Law No. 81-C/2017, of July 7, the activity of credit intermediation can be carried out by a company or an individual professional who acts as a mediator between consumers and financial institutions.

The goal is to facilitate the contracting of credit by presenting proposals that match the client’s profile and simplifying all the processes involved.

The main functions of a credit intermediary include:

  • Assessing the client’s financial capacity;

  • Presenting proposals from one or several credit institutions;

  • Providing assistance in the preparation and submission of documentation;

  • Negotiating conditions with banks;

  • Supporting the client from simulation to contract signing.

In practical terms, this means that the client gains access to faster and more transparent solutions, without having to deal alone with the complexities of the financial market.

Types of credit intermediaries in Portugal

In Portugal, there are four distinct categories of credit intermediaries, depending on their relationship with financial institutions:

  1. Tied intermediary – Acts on behalf and under the responsibility of one or more credit institutions, promoting those institutions’ products.

  2. Ancillary intermediary – When credit is offered together with the sale of a good or service, for example, at a car dealership when the customer buys a car and contracts the loan there.

  3. Untied intermediary – Can present proposals from different banks independently, increasing the client’s freedom of choice.

  4. Credit institution – When the bank itself acts as an intermediary for other financial products.

All credit intermediaries must be authorized and registered with the Bank of Portugal, meet integrity requirements, and have civil liability insurance.

The role of the credit intermediary for consumers

The credit intermediary acts as a facilitator, helping clients make more informed and secure decisions. In a scenario where credit contracts are increasingly complex, their role is to ensure transparency and impartiality, always defending the consumer’s interests.

Practical example: a homebuyer who works with a real estate agent partnered with a bank gains access to a tied credit intermediary, simplifying the process and increasing the likelihood of obtaining a mortgage with favorable conditions.

The future of credit intermediation with eGO CRM

Digital evolution has brought new challenges to the credit intermediation sector. Consumers now demand speed, simplicity, and constant follow-up. To meet this new reality, eGO CRM – Credit Intermediation was launched in 2025 and is already considered the most widely used software in the Portuguese market.

eGO CRM – Credit Intermediation stands out in three main areas:

  • Artificial Intelligence applied to credit intermediation: follows the entire process, from the first simulation to final approval, with automatic notifications and intelligent suggestions.

  • Automatic integrations with banks and financial institutions: collects documents and data in seconds, eliminating bureaucracy and reducing errors.

  • Full workflow: eGO CRM offers a comprehensive client management vertical that integrates everything from structured Digital Marketing, designed to increase lead generation through automatic integration, to overall Business Performance Management.

eGO CRM – Credit Intermediation represents the most complete and advanced solution on the market for managing credit intermediation.

Conclusion

The credit intermediary plays an increasingly central role in access to financing, professionalizing the sector and ensuring that consumers obtain suitable and transparent solutions. With evolving market demands, tools such as eGO CRM – Credit Intermediation have become indispensable for professionals seeking to offer a complete, competitive, and innovative service.