Judgement to be given next week in EBS dispute

A High Court judge will deliver judgment next week on an application for an interim injunction in a dispute between Betty Martin Financial Services Ltd and EBS. BMFS operates EBS branches in Athlone, Longford and Lucan under a tied agency agreement. The company seeks to prevent EBS from terminating this agreement, arguing the termination is invalid and motivated by BMFS's refusal to engage in alleged mis-selling of financial products. BMFS contends that when it declined to undertake activities it regarded as unprofessional and contrary to Central Bank guidelines, EBS moved to end the arrangement. EBS denies the allegations and maintains it is entitled to terminate the agreement. The bank further argues that BMFS only raised mis-selling complaints after EBS initiated termination proceedings in 2017, and that no evidence supported such claims. Following a three-day hearing before Mr Justice John Jordan, judgment on the interim injunction application is expected within the coming week.