Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS)

The Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS) is a not-for-profit body that helps larger small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) resolve business banking complaints.

The BBRS typically helps SMEs with a turnover of more than £1 million that are too large to be eligible for Financial Ombudsman Service support. The BBRS can help resolve current and previously unresolved complaints through personalised and practical support delivered by dispute resolution specialists.

The BBRS can make both financial and non-financial awards in favour of SME customers, up to £350,000 for historical cases or £600,000 for contemporary cases (and can recommend more). It is a free of charge service.

BBRS support

Businesses that meet the following criteria may be able to apply for BBRS support, even if they are no longer operating:

• You have an unresolved business banking complaint against a participating bank or their subsidiaries.
• You made a formal complaint to your bank from December 2001 onward, and have not had (or been able to have) an independent review, agreed a settlement or gone to court.
• At the time of the complaint you had a turnover of:
  • 1 December 2001 – 31 October 2009: between  £1 million and £6.5 million
  • 1 November 2009 – 31 March 2019: between €2 million and £6.5 million
  • 1 April 2019 onward: less than £10 million.

Further information about eligibility criteria is available here.

The BBRS process

1. BBRS will collect and check some basic information from you.
2. BBRS will connect you with a Customer Champion to guide you through the process.
3. You and your bank will send the required evidence.
4. The Customer Champion will explain your options for resolving the complaint.

Find out more