SME correspondents (Banque de France)

102 SME correspondents are present in each department in metropolitan France and overseas to support entrepreneurs with their financing problems and financial difficulties.

They develop a rapid diagnosis of the situation and refer to well-identified contacts. They intervene at all stages of the life of the company. In particular, they help to anticipate management and cash flow difficulties.

Public mediators

There are various public mediators:

The Ombudsman for companies offers a free mediation mechanism to help companies resolve their disputes. Mediation allows a solution to be found while preserving the commercial relationship. All exchanges take place in the strictest confidentiality, which helps to preserve the confidentiality of business and the reputation of the companies.

Refer to the companies Ombudsman

A company that encounters difficulties in obtaining or repaying a bank loan or its PGE can apply to the Credit Mediation (Banque de France). It is a free and confidential service backed by the Banque de France for all companies including micro-entrepreneurs.

Codefi and Ciri

When companies encounter problems with funding for their business or development, they can be supported by one of the following:

Departmental Committee for the Examination of Problems of company Financing (Codefi) : for companies with less than 400 employees

It is a local inter-ministerial body under the authority of the prefect. It represents all government departments in guiding and informing companies in difficulty, in all sectors. On the other hand, the company must not be left in a situation where there is no prospect of recovery.

Interministerial Committee on Industrial Restructuring (Ciri) for companies with more than 400 employees

It defines a transformation plan alongside the manager, then negotiates it and specifies its financing with the various parties (creditors, shareholders). It can also grant loans under certain conditions.

Commissioner for Restructuring and Prevention of company Difficulties (CRP)

CRPs work with companies in difficulty in less than 400 employees with a focus on the Industrial companies with more than 50 employees.

They intervene in all phases, from early warning, with preventive intervention, to operational support for the restructuring of companies, or support for the company in proceedings (amicable or collective).

CRPs are the entry points for these companies in difficulty at local level:

Commission of Heads of Financial Services and Representatives of Social Security Organizations (CCSF)

In the event of difficulties in settling a fiscal or social deadline, the Departmental Commissions of Heads of Financial Services (CCSF) may be asked to obtain payment deadlines.

It makes it possible to negotiate payment periods for social and tax debts in complete confidentiality, over a period of 24 months which may be extended to 36 months. To benefit from this scheme, companies must be up to date with their reporting and payment obligations.

Consular networks

The county or regional consular chambers work closely with various agencies to direct companies to other government agencies, the Center d’Information Prévention (CIP), specialized associations.

The consular network to be contacted depends on the activity carried out by the company.

• Support for commercial companies:

• Accompaniment to craft companies:

• Support for agricultural companies:

Legal and numerical professionals

Accountants and lawyers are key stakeholders. They advise and accompany heads of company on their legal and accounting issues:

Information and Prevention Centers (PICs)

CIPs inform and refer to existing solutions at the first sign of difficulties.

The head of company will be received free of charge and in full confidentiality by a trio of experts: a former judge of the Commercial Court, a lawyer and a public accountant.

There are about sixty information and prevention centers (CIPs) territorial units which receive and inform entrepreneurs about the prevention of companies’ difficulties and the aid and support arrangements.

Associative network

Several associations came together to provide moral and practical support to leaders struggling in the Bounce Portal :

Second Breath accompanies VSE entrepreneurs from the very beginning of difficulties. A volunteer sponsor “Pair entrepreneur” offers a listening on professional and personal difficulties to break the loneliness and guide step-by-step in his administrative and judicial procedures.