IBAS FAQ

Independent Banking Advisory Service

Independent Banking Advisory Service (IBAS) - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I've looked at business web sites seeking banking help with my business, My bank is difficult - although my business is well established. I feel the bank is taking advantage of both me and my lack of knowledge and also my lack of available time because I run my own business. I feel somewhat harassed by the bank's treatment and indeed their motivation. What do IBAS do?- Also how can IBAS help me run my business effectively?

A. We are a unique business membership help organization, which directly works for you and your business. What does IBAS membership offer you? explains in detail how we help. We will not only advise how best to deal with the issues but also deal directly with the bank on those issues, so that your business runs smoothly without constant bank interferences.

Q. My Personal Guarantee was provided to the bank some time ago but my business is now less profitable than it was. I'm concerned about my own personal position and also how the personal guarantees I have already provided to the bank may affect me or my home and family. Can you help?

A. IBAS is the most experienced organization in this field with a 20 years 'track record' in resolving Director's Personal Guarantee issues. Our aim is to provide the best professional and personal Personal Guarantee advice service to protect our members at a low and affordable annual membership. IBAS offers specialist and individual Personal Guarantee advice and assistance and will assess your personal position to establish how your Personal Guarantee may impact upon you and also your family. Our first action is always to protect your personal position and prevent it being compromised further.

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Q. I'm worried about copying information and the time lost before I might post to send to you?

A. Firstly, IBAS accept all information by email.pdf - that includes all initial information - this means we can assess how we may help you very quickly and also that you retain all original documents. This means we act quickly on your behalf once we are requested to assist - turning urgent enquiries to IBAS for help - into IBAS contacting the bank on your behalf within a matter of hours - that's because we use the latest technology available to support our members and their banking 'cases' and we have a very specialized and experienced team that have been dealing with Business Banking matters and all major banks for 20 years.

Q. A friend has a Joint and Several Director's Personal Guarantee with his bank. He is worried about losing his home because of that - can you help?

A. Yes, a Joint and Several Director's Personal Guarantee can impact on personal assets of which the personal home may be the largest. Therefore, it is an issue which requires specialist help and advice quickly - and that's available to you under IBAS Personal Guarantee membership. email us and your mail will obtain a quick response - an email to us is the quickest way to obtain a response from your enquiry and IBAS can be representing you within hours.

Q. I've just received the bank's 'Letter of Concern' and it appears I have some serious problems - can you help?

A. Yes - IBAS has helped many with such problems - email us now for assistance. The Bank will raise very specific issues and these need to be answered correctly in order to prevent the bank from imposing some very large fees and extra interest on you.

Q. What is the major difference between IBAS and any other advice organization?

A. IBAS experience in investigating the issues and banking case law in banking 'case files' and negotiating with all banks on a large volume of business banking problem cases over 20 years - means we can quickly identify your personal exposure, possible defences and actions as they become necessary, as we deal directly with the bank on your behalf.

Q. I'm seeking a Debt Management Company to negotiate my director's personal guarantee debt claim with the bank - is that what IBAS does?

A. No, we are not a Debt Management Company - IBAS is a membership organization which directly assist it's members and also investigates and negotiates their business banking dispute/s including Director's Personal Guarantees and Bank Guarantee debt claims. A DMC is something completely different. DMC's organize payments of the debts for a structured payment over time. That means the whole debt is accepted as being due (they do not negotiate debts) - therefore if you believe there may be a defence to the bank's claim the DMC route would lose you any defence/s immediately you start to pay - but making payment in a DMC plan does not guarantee that the bank/lender will continue that arrangement. The bank/lender can decide at any time later (and after you have started making payments) that they will not continue to accept payment in this way and may then demand the whole debt be paid from any property you may have - that includes your home.

Q. My business is sound but my business partner left me with some business problems and difficulties which I need to overcome if I'm to continue trading, can IBAS help me?

A. Many SME Businesses bring problems to us which are not banking problems but which have impacted on their banking. IBAS Business help is 'tailored' specifically for your individual business needs. Which means we will help you focus on your business to identify what is required and also provide you with direct personal help so that you can trade-out of the current difficulties. IBAS help and direct assistance will provide your business with professional assistance to overcome business difficulties and maintain better control over business finances.

Q. My bank is asking me to pay them £55,000 for a debt they claim my business owes them. I don't think it's owed. Can you help?

A. Business Banking help and advice is a large part of what IBAS does and much of our work involves business banking debt claims issued against UK Business by UK banks and then the director's Personal Guarantees which secure those debts. Some 'stand up' - Some do not. If the debt can be disputed in it's entirety then we will dispute it with the bank on your behalf.

Q. What is IBAS? and what makes it unique?

A. What does IBAS membership offer you? explains in detail how we help and also why we are unique. IBAS is the Independent Banking Advisory Service (IBAS) which is a unique National non-profit making, campaigning membership organization, which specializes in negotiating business banking disputes and provides direct help to businesses with business banking problems and banking issues. We provide 'hands on' help with the bank where agreed or where necessary. What makes IBAS unique? Well, IBAS is totally unique - there is no other organization like us which provides members with 'in depth' direct and specialist banking advice and very individual and specific direct banking assistance based entirely on individual business banking needs and circumstances.

Q. I am an accountant/solicitor and feel qualified to deal with my own banking dispute - why would I even consider IBAS?

A. Whilst many believe they possess the necessary knowledge to deal with their own banking problem or banking dispute and much as they would deal with any other business problem or dispute but business banking issues and bank disputes are NOT like any other business problem. Unfortunately, some business banking disputes come to IBAS after accountants or solicitors have attempted to deal with the issues. By that time the 'dispute' has become much more 'personalized' and much more difficult for resolution. IBAS early involvement minimizes 'personal' animosity in business banking disputes and removes the dispute from 'local area influences'. This is an extremely important reason for IBAS to become involved at a National level in what is a very specialized area.

Q. My solicitor has been dealing with my bank for years, wouldn't it be better for him to deal with my business banking dispute?

A. It is very unwise to use 'local' accountants, solicitors (or ex bank managers) - as they may have their own 'relationship' with the bank, which will not be to your advantage. Also, IBAS are specialists in this area without any conflict of interest. Our banking investigations have shown that many businesses were completely misled by the same professionals they had once trusted. So, what appears to be an 'easy route' is unfortunately also an easy route for the bank to 'control' matters and gain advantage over you.

An email to us will obtain our help and advice quickly - please tell us which bank is involved and the outline of the issues and what has already happened and we will respond to you. - email us

Independent Banking Advisory Service (IBAS) is a national, independent, non-profit, unique specialist banking customer membership organization which resolves banking complaints and disputes and which has campaigned on UK Banking customer issues since 1992. We provide bank and business banking assessment, analysis, bank comment and content for BBC TV News, ITV, Radio and national newspapers.