ABF complaint in Rome: assistance in disputes with .
The Banking and Financial Ombudsman (ABF) is a fast, affordable and accessible out-of-court procedure for resolving disputes with banks, financial companies and other intermediaries. SP Law assists clients in preparing, filing and managing the complaint at every stage.
Avv. Andrea Piacentini
Law degree from the European University of Rome and admitted to the Rome Bar since 2015. Advisory and litigation in civil law, with particular experience in banking litigation, debt recovery, leases and contract law. He is the firm's partner in charge of disputes with banks and financial intermediaries.
ABF and banking litigation.
Drafting the ABF complaint
Review of the documents, identification of the grounds and preparation of the complaint in accordance with the ABF procedural rules.
Preliminary assessment
We check admissibility, deadlines, procedural requirements and supporting documents before filing.
Managing the procedure
Assistance throughout the review phase: replies to requests for additional information, observations and responses to the intermediary.
Banking and financial law
Litigation on current accounts, mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, credit lines, compound interest, interest, fees, credit-bureau reports and dealings with banks.
A clear strategy for your .
We follow the ABF procedure within the required deadlines and formalities, minimising the risk of inadmissibility or dismissal on procedural grounds.
We review banking records, correspondence and prior complaints to build a coherent and well-founded case.
We support you from the initial consultation through to the Ombudsman's decision, including any subsequent court proceedings.
Avv. Andrea Piacentini personally handles the firm's banking and financial litigation.
ABF complaint, Banking and Financial Ombudsman, banking disputes — Rome and Italy
SP Law provides legal assistance for complaints to the Banking and Financial Ombudsman in Rome and throughout Italy. We advise individuals and businesses in disputes with banks and financial intermediaries: current accounts, mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, compound interest, fees, interest and credit-bureau reports. Avv. Andrea Piacentini is the firm's partner in charge of banking and financial litigation. Offices in Rome Vigna Clara and Rome Prati.
Frequently asked questions.
Answers to common questions about the Italian Banking and Financial Ombudsman (ABF) and banking disputes.
When does the ABF have jurisdiction and what is the monetary limit?
Where the complaint seeks payment of money, the Italian Banking and Financial Ombudsman (ABF) can consider claims up to €200,000. There is no monetary ceiling where the complaint seeks only a declaration of rights, obligations or entitlements, provided the matter otherwise falls within the ABF's subject-matter jurisdiction. The relevant time period must also be checked: operations or conduct dating from before the sixth year preceding the filing of the complaint cannot be submitted to the ABF.
Must I complain to the bank before filing with the ABF?
Yes. A written complaint must first be submitted to the bank or financial intermediary. The ordinary response period is 60 days, but shorter periods apply in certain areas: for example, payment-services complaints generally have a 15-working-day response period, subject to the exceptions provided by the applicable rules. If the response is unsatisfactory, or no response is received within the applicable period, an ABF complaint may be filed. It must be filed within 12 months of the prior complaint; after that, a new complaint to the intermediary is required.
Do I need a lawyer for an ABF complaint?
No. Legal representation is not mandatory. Legal assistance can nevertheless help verify admissibility, reconstruct the facts and banking relationship, select the relevant documents and formulate the requested relief and legal arguments clearly, reducing the risk of procedural or presentation errors.
Is an ABF decision binding like a court judgment?
No. An ABF decision does not have the same binding force as a court judgment. If an intermediary fails to comply, that non-compliance is made public in accordance with the ABF rules. Either party remains free to bring the dispute before the competent courts.
How much does filing an ABF complaint cost?
Filing a complaint requires a contribution to the costs of the procedure, currently €20, which the intermediary reimburses in the cases provided for by the ABF rules where the complaint is upheld, including in part. This is the procedural contribution only: any legal-assistance fees are separate and agreed beforehand.
Let's talk about your .
Book an initial consultation to assess your ABF complaint and the documentation to prepare.
Measurable at our clients' service
Aggregate figures for the firm and its network. Every case is assessed on its own merits and no outcome is guaranteed.