About Us

• We are not funded by any banks
• We are independent of the banks and the Banking Industry Ombudsman
• We cannot be compromised
• Our experience emanates from people who have worked for major Australian
  Banks and from extensive work with people and their legal teams addressing
  improper banking practice
• We have unique knowledge of internal banking procedures that allows us to assist you and your solicitor to thoroughly assess your matter
• We have highly skilled knowledge of the Banks internal accounting systems which enables us to provide evaluation and unique insight into the way your bank is treating you and your bank account
• We assess details that solicitors are not expected to address and usually do not understand until we explain the processes involved. Mr Bruce Ford, from Dispute Assist P/L, is recognised Australia wide for his efforts and expertise in assisting people with banking disputes.
  
  Media Coverage
  
  Bruce Ford and his work on banking matters has been featured on television and radio programs such as:
  
  

  The ABC's - 7:30 Report "The National Australia Bank has come in for particular critisism accused of 'unconscionable conduct' towards borrowers who have lost everything."
  		Bruce Ford interviewed on ABC's 7:30 Report - "NAB Accused of unconscionable conduct"

  
  

  The ABC's - Law Report "The dispute resolution processes provided by the banks are seriously lacking. It has a number of failures in that it's banks simply a) not offering it as they should, in accordance with the industry code, or even in circumstances where it does get provided, the bank is not acting fair and reasonably throughout that process."

  
  

  Channel 9 - A Current Affair - Senator Stephen Conroy:  "...it would have made it much harder to get the Commonwealth Bank to put up their hand, admit they were wrong... It's only because of the publicity that this received and Mr Ford's determination to see this issue through."
  		Wendy Murray and Bruce Ford interviewed on A Current Affair TCN 9 - "Shadow Ledgers"

  The ABC's - 4 Corners - Andrew Fowler (Journalist): "In the following months, Ford and Murray discovered a publicly little-known bank practice know as "shadow ledgers…"
  		Wendy Murray 4 Corners ABC - "Party Tricks" by Andrew Fowler - 2001	Bruce Ford 4 Corners ABC - "Party Tricks" by Andrew Fowler - 2001

  
  
  
  Channel 7  - Today Tonight
  The ABC's - 7:30 Report
  The ABC's - Life Matters                               
  The ABC's - Country Hour
  
  Bruce has also received coverage of his efforts promoting transparent Banking in newspapers such as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Sunday Herald, The Australian Newspaper, The Financial Review, The Melbourne Age, Canberra Times, the Courier Mail and Money Magazine to name a few.
  
  Bruce Ford was also instrumental in forcing a Senate Inquiry into the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, that was attended by the Australian Tax Office, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and others. The Senate Committee acknowledged Bruce's work and the findings of the Inquiry generated changes to the Code of Banking Practice for all banks regarding the issuance of bank statements to their customers. In addition details of his work are noted in the Australian Banking Industry Ombudsman Bulletins to all banks and his submissions are referred to in the law reference book, Banking Law in Australia. Bruce Ford has also provided extensive research and case studies to the ACCC and the Australian Securities and Investment Commission - (ASIC) along with the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority - (APRA).
  
  What We Do
• Research all your dealings with your bank
• Research and check the accuracy of your account/s conducted with your bank
• Assess if your bank maybe withholding certain details of your account from you
• Assess whether your bank has re-classed your loan
• Assist people to consider information for practical alternatives in resolving their situation
• Provide you details of previous case studies to help you learn from and avoid the mistakes of others in similar circumstances
• Offer information that assists you to consider the facts properly so you can endeavour to avoid excessive legal bills during your dispute
• Present options which other people have experienced
  
  We Do Not
• Provide legal advice
• Provide financial advice
  
  Important: Information You Should Know
  
  If you have a bank dispute or bank complaint with your bank, we can equip you with inside knowledge of what the banks don't tell you. Our experience and research shows customers involved in bank disputes are rarely provided critical information of internal banking procedures which some banks deliberately withhold from customers. Most solicitors are not privy to all internal banking procedures and therefore unable to thoroughly address these areas for you without the relevant information. We can provide you the information that will assist you to seek access to internal documents that will enable you and your legal team to make an informed assessment to enable you to proceed and take the correct course of action. In addition this information will assist you in preparation of taking your matter to the Banking Industry Ombudsman or any mediation.
  
  Most importantly if the matter proceeds to court, as many people will confirm, our information is essential to enable you and your solicitor to understand and prepare critical aspects of your case that otherwise may not be apparent to you and your legal team.