How Can the BBRS Help Small and Medium-Sized Businesses?

The Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS) can help SMEs resolve outstanding banking complaints dating back to December 2001. BBRS provides personalised, practical support though a team of highly skilled and experienced dispute resolution specialists – free of charge – to help resolve current and historical complaints between larger SMEs and their banks.

Established as a not-for-profit body, following the 2018 Walker Report, BBRS’ specialist dispute resolution services cover SMEs typically too large to be eligible for the Financial Ombudsman Service support. Registered businesses can receive dedicated specialist support. BBRS provides a cost-effective alternative to going to court, overseen by a Deputy High Court Judge, BBRS' Chief Adjudicator Alexandra Marks CBE.

If BBRS upholds a complaint, it has powers to make a financial or non-financial award against a bank.
Maximum financial awards are £350,000 for Historical Cases and £600,000 for Contemporary Cases, and BBRS can recommend more in suitable cases.

Who Can Use the Service?

  • SME, sole trader, charity, trust or similar, brought by a director, significant shareholder, partner or board member even if no longer trading; or personal guarantor of any such organisation
  • Has an unresolved business banking complaint since December 2001, and not had (or been able to have) an independent review, agreed a settlement, or gone to court
  • Complaint against a participating bank or subsidiary: Barclays Bank plc and Barclays Bank UK plc,
    Danske Bank, HSBC UK Bank plc, Lloyds Banking Group (Lloyds Bank plc and Bank of Scotland plc),
    NatWest Group (including The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, National Westminster Bank plc, Coutts &
    Company and Ulster Bank Limited (Northern Ireland)), Santander UK plc, Virgin Money (including
    Clydesdale Bank plc and Yorkshire Bank)
  • Full criteria at https://thebbrs.org/general-criteria/

How Can SMEs Access Support?

  • Use BBRS’ online eligibility tool and register for support at: www.thebbrs.org/register
  • Call BBRS on 0345 646 8825 (9am - 8pm, Mon to Fri; 9am - 2pm Saturdays)
  • Email: hello@thebbrs.org
  • Arrange a call-back at www.thebbrs.org/register

For further information, marketing materials or speakers for your SME events, please contact:
David.Rose@thebbrs.org

"Services like the BBRS will play a vital role in ensuring small business owners can access expert advice and have their voices heard, not only as we build back better from thus panemic but also well into the future."