Using the Bank Customer Support Network (RACE) to avoid court proceedings
Banking customers facing difficulties in complying with credit agreements can seek help from the Bank Customer Support Network (Rede de Apoio ao Cliente Bancário, RACE).
RACE is made up of entities that aim to inform, advise and support banking customers who are at risk of defaulting or are already behind on their loan repayments.
Watch a brief presentation of RACE in this video from the Directorate-General for Consumers.
Who can using the Bank Customer Support Network (RACE) to avoid court proceedings?
What are the documents and requirements to using the Bank Customer Support Network (RACE) to avoid court proceedings?
You do not need to submit any documents to request information or advice.
However, if you ask RACE to help you in dealings with credit institutions, you may be asked to provide documents for analysis.
What is the price to using the Bank Customer Support Network (RACE) to avoid court proceedings?
The support provided by RACE is free of charge.
How using the Bank Customer Support Network (RACE) to avoid court proceedings?
RACE is currently made up of 19 entities throughout Portugal.
To use RACE, you will need to contact one of these entities to ask questions or request support.
You can consult the RACE entities in two ways:
- by going to Banco de Portugal’s Bank Customer portal (choose a district from the map to see the entities’ contact details)
or - by clicking on the link ‘Consult the updated list of RACE organisations’ on this page of the website of the Directorate-General for Consumers
The Directorate-General for Consumers has an online form where you can request information about your rights and obligations if you are at risk of defaulting on a credit agreement or have already done one.