Our solutions for companies facing financial difficulties

Credit mediation is a public mechanism established in 2008 to support any company facing financing difficulties with one or more financial institutions – such as banks, leasing companies, factoring firms, or credit insurers.

Why credit mediation?

Credit mediation is a local, free, and confidential service, recognised under a national agreement. It is carried out by the departmental directors of the IEDOM offices in the overseas territories. Its main goal is to support companies experiencing difficulties with access to bank financing or credit insurance solutions.

Who is it for?

Credit mediation is open to all businesses, regardless of their sector, size, age, or legal status. It is also available to social and solidarity economy enterprises, provided that employment is at stake.
When should you seek credit mediation ?
This scheme is vital for businesses facing multiple financial problems. These include the termination of overdrafts or other lines of credit that are essential for day-to-day management. Companies can also seek mediation when they are refused debt rescheduling or when they are unable to obtain the credit they need for their cash flow, equipment or leasing. Mediation is also the obvious solution in cases where financial institutions refuse to provide a guarantee or surety, or if a credit insurer decides to reduce the guarantees offered.

What does credit mediation offer?

Through close dialogue with financial partners, the mediator works to identify pragmatic solutions (moratoires sur les paiements, restructuration de prêts, renouvellement de lignes de financement…). (payment moratoriums, loan restructuring, renewal of financing lines, etc.). During mediation, existing bank support is maintained, allowing the company to continue its activities while solutions are sought. Each situation is analysed individually to ensure the best possible approach.

Steps of the credit mediation process

1Online application
Companies must submit their mediation request via the Credit Mediator online platform.

2Application acceptance
A response is provided within 48 hours to confirm whether the case is accepted for mediation or not.

3Review period
Financial institutions have 5 days to review their position.

4Mediation work
If difficulties persist, the mediator intervenes to help bridge the gap between the financial partners and resolve any obstacles.

5Agreement proposal
The mediator proposes an agreement to the parties aimed at resolving the situation in a lasting manner.

Find all the information on credit mediation process..

It is mandatory for any business in France to open a professional bank account. It is also a legal right guaranteed by French law, which IEDOM implements through the "right to a bank account" procedure.

If a bank refuses to open an account for a company, it must provide a certificate or letter of refusal. You can then contact your local IEDOM office. They will then designate a banking institution to open a professional account for your business.

Who is eligible for the right to a professional bank account?

The following entities are eligible for this right :

• Individuals residing in France.
• Legal entities (such as companies, associations, etc.) domiciled in France

To exercise this right, two additional conditions must be met :

• You must not have a deposit account in France, also known as a current account or cheque account.
• You must provide proof of the bank’s refusal to open an account.

How to exercise your right to a professional bank account ?

1A bank refuses to open a business account for you

You must have submitted your request to open an account by registered mail or in person at a bank branch against a signed receipt. The bank will either send you a letter refusing to open an account or not respond. If you don’t receive a response from the bank within 15 days, its silence will be considered a refusal.

2Prepare your application

To submit your request, you must provide :

• A completed and signed application form for exercising the right to an account (available below or from your local IEDOM office) ;
• A certificate of refusal to open an account is issued by a bank in the name of the legal entity. If you have not received this certificate, you must provide a copy of the acknowledgement of receipt of a registered letter requesting the opening of an account. If you fail to do so, you must provide proof that you have submitted this request in person, dated more than 15 days ago ;
• A copy of a valid identity document ;
• A K-bis extract (less than 3 months old). If you are not listed as the legal representative on the K-bis extract, you must include a document proving your authority to represent the legal entity in dealings with third parties.

You may also indicate in your application the bank where you would like your account to be domiciled. However, please note that this bank will not necessarily be designated.

3Submit your request to IEDOM

Once your application is complete, you can submit it :

• Online via your personal space on the Banque de France ;
• At an IEDOM office.

IEDOM will review your request and, if your file is complete, will designate a bank to open your account within 24 hours.

44Account opening

Once designated, the bank must send you, within three days, the list of the documents required to open the account, along with the name and contact details of the relevant branch. You will then need to contact this bank to proceed with opening the account. If you provide all the required documents, the bank must open an account for you within three days of receiving them.

The FCC (Fichier Central des Chèques) records cheque-related payment incidents. If your company is subject to a banking ban, it is essential to understand your status in this register in order to regularise your situation.

Why might a company be listed in the FCC ?

If your company is listed as "interdite bancaire" (banned from banking) in the FCC, it loses the right to issue cheques for the entire duration of the listing.This may result from several situations :

• Issuing a bounced cheque that has not been regularised
• An incident related to the use of the company’s bank card
• A court decision prohibiting your company from issuing cheques

What are the consequences of being registered with the FCC ?

Being listed in the FCC can lead to serious consequences for your business :

• First, a comprehensive banking ban is imposed, preventing you from issuing cheques on any of your accounts, including those held at other banks. our bank will inform you of this measure via a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.
• You will also be required to return all cheque books in your possession.
  This ban remains in effect until you regularise the situation and may last up to five years.

How to access your information in the payment incident register ?

In accordance with French law, you have the right to access information concerning you in the registers of payment incidents.
To exercise this right, you can contact IEDOM in one of the following ways :

• On line : Use the Banque de France online service for greater speed and simplicity.
• By mail : Send a written request to your local IEDOM office.
• In person : Visit one of our IEDOM offices.

You will be asked to provide the following supporting documents: a double-sided copy of your valid ID, a recent K-bis extract.
Once your request has been processed, you will receive a list of the events registered in your company’s name, together with the names of the reporting financial institutions.