Hanif Virji is a Founding Partner of AHV Associates, a London-based derivatives and corporate finance advisory firm. He previously worked for investment banks including Lazard Brothers and J.P. Morgan.

In this Case Study Hanif discusses the recent development of complicated financial instruments which have been sold to SMEs. Banks often fail to fully explain these products and their customers rarely fully understand their implications. Hanif outlines the procedures companies should adopt if they feel that a product has been mis-sold to them. Companies should properly document and archive their correspondence with banks, and seek expert help. Banks will deal with any clear transgression quickly, but the process often takes months. However, despite the potential time required, Hanif believes that companies should be patient and persistent in seeking redress.