Baines & Ernst Highlight the Importance of Being Open About Debt

UK 'Hidden' Debt Stands at an Estimated GBP55bn as One in Five Consumers Hide Financial Problems From a Partner or Family

NEWBURY, England, April 29, 2010 - Following the news that a significant amount of people in debt conceal
the information from their family or partner, Baines & Ernst are today
highlighting the importance of being open about financial problems with
yourself and those around you.

Research carried out by the Post Office shows that the average personal
debt of an individual in the UK currently stands at GBP9,731.51 (excluding
mortgages), but many people only admit to owing half this when talking to a
partner or family member.

According to the online poll conducted by OnePoll, of the 2,258 UK
consumers questioned, one in five consumers admitted to hiding their debt
from their partner, while an overwhelming 78% with hidden debt have never
been open about the true extent of their debt. Of the 22% that were, the
majority (60%) were discovered rather than chose to come clean.

Nick Pearson from Baines & Ernst, who are experts in debt help
(www.bainesandernst.co.uk/) and debt consolidation offer a range of
debt solutions tailored to your needs, said "Although these results are very
concerning, they are by no means surprising. We've had instances of people
burying letters in their garden, hiding them in an outside shed and disposing
of them in the neighbour's wheelie bin, all to avoid detection from their
partner."

"Many people prefer to bury their head in the sand rather than tackle
debt head on, which is exactly the wrong attitude to take, as the problems
continue to grow rather than dissipate over time."

"If you are in financial difficulty then the best option is to be open
about it with your friends and family and to seek the assistance of a
professional debt solution company if you feel overwhelmed by debt."

    - Founded in 1996 as Baines and Ernst, Paymex Group Ltd is one
      of the UK's largest providers of debt solutions;
    - We have helped over 150,000 people to get their finances under
      control;
    - Baines and Ernst, Blair Endersby and Buchanan Roxburgh are
      currently helping ten's of thousands of customers to repay debts to
      their creditors through DMP's, IVA's or PTD's;
    - We have nearly GBP1bn of unsecured debts under management;
    - The Group has distributed well over GBP1/2 billion to creditors
      since 2000 and will distribute approx GBP100m to creditors this year
    - Baines and Ernst were awarded Competent Authority status by the
      Insolvency Service, allowing us to accredit intermediaries to deliver
      the Debt Relief Order;
    - Provider of bankruptcy (www.bainesandernst.co.uk/bankruptcy/),
      full and final settlement and single premium assisted self help
      advice through specialists Baker Evans;
    - In April 2009 we launched the Evolution Bank account;

Contact Details: Nick Pearson, Director of External Affairs, +44(0)161-216-8107, Paymex Group, Lloyds House, 18-22 Lloyd Street, Manchester, M2 5BE