| Frequently
Asked Questions
CAPABILITIES
PROFESSIONAL FEES
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
QUALITY
JOBS
CAPABILITIES
What is a “corporate
investigation”?
Corporate investigations, simply put, are investigations
by businesses into business operations. This
kind of investigation typically is conducted
to evaluate a business partner, a business associate,
a potential target for merger & acquisition,
a suspected incident of fraud or embezzlement,
or other areas of business operations.
In a global economy, corporate investigations
begun in one country, the US or elsewhere, may
lead to information requirements in other countries
or jurisdictions. SBI is capable of pursuing
a single investigation from one country to another,
across international borders, using a network
of professional associates in different countries.
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What are standard
elements of a corporate investigation?
The elements of a corporate investigation
are based on the specific requirements of a
specific client. Those requirements are dictated
by the corporate (or individual) goals.
Corporate investigations typically include
a review of local (in-country) public records,
such as litigation records, bankruptcy records,
and criminal records. Also included may be verification
of credentials or contact with local regulatory
authorities, public licensing or other government
agencies, professional associations (for lawyers
or accountants, etc.), or educational institutions
(for verification of degrees). Reputational
checks may include checking of local references,
as well as contacts with local authorities and
business representatives about how an individual
is regarded within the local business community.
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What is “due
diligence”?
- Due diligence is different things to different
people. Some regard “due diligence”
as another way of saying “background
investigation.” Some use “due
diligence” and “corporate investigation”
interchangeably.
- General concept – “due diligence.”
Some see “due diligence” as a
technical concept, that is, as a standard
for the most basic and necessary – nothing
more, nothing less – collection of information
related to a potential business undertaking;
the emphasis is on “due and proper”
consideration of a person or entity, in a
“diligent” manner. It may include
both financial due diligence and legal due
diligence.
- Financial due diligence. Some consider
“due diligence” more from a financial
perspective, that is, as a review of accounting
records to ensure that the records are in
order and show no indication of malfeasance
or nonfeasance by the responsible parties,
from the actual accounting personnel to senior
management.
- Legal due diligence. This is a review typically
undertaken by the legal team, to ensure compliance
with legal requirements, and to address and
avoid possible legal entanglements that might
result from a venture.
- Business due diligence. Both financial
and legal due diligence should be supplemented
by factual verification of details reviewed
by accountants and lawyers. This type of due
diligence, sometimes called “business
intelligence” and sometimes “fact-checking,”
is undertaken by SBI. Back
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What is “risk
avoidance”?
Risk avoidance is a strategy that presumes
a proactive approach to business operations,
based on the classic guidance asserting that
“knowledge is power.” Businesses
are continually urged to “grow their business,”
but growth means change and trying the previously
untried. The only sensible approach is to check
out the new frontiers in advance, check out
the prospective executives, the new country
or region where business is being pursued, and
check out the apparently irregular situation
to determine if it meets ethical and compliance
standards. Back
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What makes Smith
Brandon International, Inc. unique?
- Person-to-person. Smith Brandon International,
Inc. (SBI) is a boutique firm that provides
personal attention to each client. SBI prides
itself on the participation of one of its
name principals in each and every project,
offering a point of contact, easy access and
review of all work product before it is presented
to the client.
- Worldwide services. While many companies
offer corporate and personal background investigations,
due diligence, and security consulting services,
SBI can offer these services to clients worldwide,
in the US and around the world.
- Meetings tailored to the client. SBI is
available to meet with clients, as defined
by project requirements. However, in a busy
world and a global economy, SBI is also able
to respond to tasking based on a phone call
or an email outlining time-sensitive requirements.
With consultations, SBI can move on a project
within 24 hours of authorization, virtually
anywhere in the world.
- Depth of professional resources. SBI is
headquartered in Washington, DC, with a network
of associates across the US and around the
world. These associates in the US are typically
retired law enforcement professionals; associates
abroad are typically former law enforcement,
intelligence or military professionals who
have had extensive training in investigations.
- Unparalleled expertise. SBI’s founders
and principals have a lifetime of experience
in providing investigative, due diligence
and security consulting services to clients
worldwide. They are internationally recognized
and respected for their work in challenging
environments, supporting companies in all
stages of their operations, across multiple
jurisdictions.
- No bluffing. If SBI is not in a position
to assist on a project, whether it is due
to the level of requirements, political instability
in a particular country or region, a personal
issue for a trusted source (e.g., a recent
auto accident), the client will be informed
of the issue. SBI may choose to suggest an
alternative approach to a client, or recommend
an alternative resource.
For additional information, please refer to
our “About
Us” section. Back
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Who are your typical
clients?
We do not have a “typical” client.
SBI has served hundreds of clients, which include
many Fortune 500 companies, as well as small
and medium-sized companies in the United States,
the European Union, Latin America, Asia and
the Middle East. We address investigations and
consulting needs in all industries, ranging
from financial, legal, and pharmaceutical industries
to energy, insurance and real estate.
SBI is able to provide business intelligence
and political risk assessments on business environments
around the world. We have the experience and
expertise that can evaluate the most complex
corporate operations and the countries in which
they operate. We operate as a private intelligence
agency, at the disposal of our clients, to support
and assist in pursuing your business goals and
objectives.
We believe that everybody should conduct a
basic evaluation of people and companies that
they are dealing with. Before you entrust your
business and your reputation to someone, make
sure they are who they say they are and have
the qualifications they say they have.
Our recommendation: Know where you are going,
and how to get there. But researching a country
or conducting an internet search is not enough.
You need to know the political environment and
country-specific risk factors from qualified,
capable, real-world professionals. Verify the
qualifications and check the background of your
business partners, contractors, vendors, employees,
salespeople, bankers and anyone else who may
be critical to your company’s successful
operations. Back
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Can you provide
country reports and political risk assessments
all over the world?
Yes. We are experienced and qualified in working
around the world. We have lived and worked abroad,
and have government service backgrounds that
assist us in understanding how governments work.
Personal contacts are critical to understanding
the local environment, and in understanding
“red flags” and in recognizing opportunities
for growth and expansion. Back
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Can you provide
background checks all over the world?
Yes. We are widely recognized for our ability
to provide background checks, investigations
and consulting services in virtually every country
in the world. We work with reliable, vetted
in-country sources known to us from many years
of collaborative professional relationships.
Our associates are all professional investigators,
drawn from the business, financial, legal, diplomatic,
intelligence and law enforcement communities.
Using in-country sources guarantees that there
will be no language barriers in obtaining criminal
and civil (e.g., litigation or bankruptcy) records
or in verifying employment, professional or
education credentials. In addition, local investigators
will be in a better position to obtain information
on the targets due to their familiarity with
bureaucratic requirements. And they are able
to conduct site visits to verify an actual address
or provide additional information that may support
your strategic management decisions. Back
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What resources
do you use?
We have an experienced, qualified staff that
is headed by Gene M. Smith and Harry (Skip)
Brandon, our Founding Partners. Our staff is
trained in research, analysis, and writing skills
that relate to countries, industries and corporate
operations. They are experienced in pursuing
multi-tiered, multi-jurisdictional investigations
around the world. They have access to state-of-the-art
and proprietary databases, as well as access
to reliable sources that have been part of the
SBI network for many years.
We treat our sources with the same discretion
as we treat our clients and are unable to disclose
details as to professional associates. However,
we can provide details on their qualifications
and access. You can rest assured that we proven,
reliable resources who have proven their reliability
in many previous cases. We also use many public
and proprietary databases to fulfill your needs.
In limited circumstances, Ms. Smith and Mr.
Brandon are available to pursue in-country investigations
that require immediate, in-person investigations.
These investigations are typically of a more
complex nature that require briefing and in-depth
preparation prior to any travel to the operations
under investigation. Back
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How much do you
rely on databases to complete projects?
In the US: Many US databases
can provide information such as contact information,
address histories, names and addresses of relatives
and neighbors, certain assets (e.g., airplanes,
boats or cars), corporate affiliations, litigation
history, and UCC filings. However, many of these
databases contain duplicate and sometimes even
inaccurate information; it may require careful
review to decipher and delineate the critical
information. We use experienced analysts, working
under supervision, to review this data. Generally,
databases alone are only the starting point
for a SBI investigation and must be supplemented
by on-site investigations, such as verifying
an actual street address for a person or an
office, retrieving pertinent court records,
or contacting local references in regard to
a business or an individual.
Outside the US: Databases
abroad are the exception, not the rule. When
databases are not available, which is more common
than not in foreign jurisdictions, or when databases
do not provide complete information, we utilize
our in-country sources. We generally confirm
or double-check the information from the databases
and local (in-country) media resources with
our in-country sources for accuracy and complementary
information on the subject of the investigation.
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How can you get
information on individuals or corporations abroad?
Communications with in-country associates are
generally conducted via email (where available)
or via fax (as necessary), using the appropriate
security arrangements. We work with our in-country
sources to obtain information as to reputation
within the local business community and to review
public records on the subjects of investigation.
Our in-country sources are trained, experienced,
professional investigators from the business,
financial, legal, diplomatic, intelligence and
law enforcement communities.
Working with local resources and partners
on a case-by-case basis rather than opening
offices in all locations where SBI operates
helps contain project costs, as it eliminates
overhead and other costs related to overseas
office operations. Such an arrangement also
contributes to a more efficient response to
tasking, eliminating layers of bureaucracy between
the client and the final reporting, as well
as eliminating the expense associated with multiple
layers of corporate bureaucracy. Back
to Top
PROFESSIONAL FEES
How much do you
charge for your services?
Our prices vary depending on the specific
requirements of a case, the country and city
in which an investigation is conducted, the
complexities of a case, the time constraints
on conducting a case, and other issues that
relate to the sensitivity of the investigation
itself.
We are able to provide a tentative fee for
a prospective investigation, based on information
provided by the client.
For example, investigations on an individual
in the US alone will be less expensive than
investigations on an individual with residence
or business operations in, for example, the
US, the Caribbean Basin, Panama and Uruguay.
Fees will also vary with the nature of your
case, i.e., the fee associated with investigations
of an individual will be different than due
diligence on a business with operations in several
countries. In general, certain jurisdictions
are more difficult than others; our fees reflect
this variance.
Please call us for a complimentary initial
consultation to discuss your case. A binding
non-disclosure agreement can be completed prior
to any consultation. Consultations can be conducted
in coordination with legal or corporate counsel,
as appropriate. In general, a conflict check
will be conducted to ensure there is no conflict
of interest on the part of SBI in discussing
your business operations. Back
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Do you charge
by the hour?
In general, we work on a fixed fee basis.
Once we have obtained details related to your
specific issues and your goals, we will outline
the proposed professional services related to
your specific case and any case-specific expenses
that are anticipated. Our fees will include
standard expenses, such as in-country sources,
proprietary database access and overhead expenses.
The exception will be travel expenses or other
substantial changes in services rendered, with
all such variations subject to authorization
by the client. Back
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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
What services
do you provide?
We provide a variety of services to small,
medium and large companies in the United States
and abroad:
- Worldwide due diligence on corporations.
- Business and competitive intelligence
- Mergers and acquisition business intelligence
and support
- Background investigations on individuals
and corporations
- Global investigations
- Litigation support
- Security consulting for companies with
international operations.
- Political risk assessment
- Threat assessment of countries / locations
of corporate subsidiaries / facilities.
- Risk avoidance counsel
- On-line and personal training on how to
recognize and avoid fraud
- 24-hour security details for corporate
personnel traveling abroad
- Around-the-clock security details (including
armed bodyguards and armored vehicles) for
overseas operations and expatriate employees
- Asset searches
- Support for compliance programs related
to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
- Support for compliance programs related
to the USA PATRIOT Act
Please call us for a complimentary initial
consultation. We are able to offer a variety
of services to individuals and companies in
all industries and would be pleased to discuss
your special circumstances and needs. Back
to Top
Can you provide
services in the US as well as in other countries?
Yes. We can assist with due diligence investigations,
background investigations, litigation support,
etc., in countries around the world. Because
our coverage is so extensive, no country is
beyond the scope of our investigations. Please
call for coverage in a specific country. Back
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I think my
spouse is cheating on me. Can you help me?
While Smith Brandon International, Inc. does
not provide personal surveillance, we are able
to refer you to reliable companies that specialize
in investigations related to marital disputes.
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Do you provide
accident investigations?
While Smith Brandon International, Inc. does
not offer accident investigation services, we
are able to refer you to companies that specialize
in accident investigations. Back
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Can you locate
missing persons?
We have successfully located persons who have
relocated outside the US to avoid prosecution
or to conceal money or assets they embezzled
from our clients. We have also located persons
with personal or family ties who had lost contact
with friends and family members for various
reasons. You may contact us at any time to discuss
your case with us. We would be pleased to discuss
with you how we can best assist you in locating
missing persons. Back
to Top
Can you provide
security for my employees abroad?
Yes. Smith Brandon International, Inc. is
frequently involved in security provisions for
companies with overseas operations. We can provide
you with short-term security such as armed bodyguards
and private drivers, security analysis in advance
of your planned destination, as well as long-term
security for your expatriate employees and interests.
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QUALITY
When you speak
of a “private intelligence service,”
does that imply that you will follow international
legal standards?
Yes. Information in many countries and many
cultures is available within restricted circles
of business professionals in that country. At
the same time, this information is not generally
available through media, database or internet
sources. Our associates operate within these
circles of respected professionals with access
to sensitive information. Back
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Are your background
investigation conducted within ethical standards?
Yes. Smith Brandon International, Inc. applies
the highest ethical standards in its work. SBI
is committed to a standard of excellence. Back
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Is the information
obtained legally?
Yes. We only provide services that are legally
and ethically obtained. You can expect the highest
standards in our work and our products. Back
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Are your overseas
sources and the information they provide reliable?
Yes. We only use sources that are well known
to us from prior investigations and from many
years of professional cooperation. We think
the use of experienced, in-country professionals
with access and well-honed skills and capabilities
serves as an excellent point of reference that
supplements and supports the information we
obtain through research or from information
providers or public records.
In some instances, for example, in countries
where public records may be inaccessible, unreliable
or where fraud is common, we engage duplicate
resources to enhance the coverage and ensure
the reliability of the reporting. Back
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Do you provide
information / business intelligence, as well
as analysis?
Yes. We provide details that are based in-country
reporting, as well as analysis of the reporting
to assist in interpreting the information provided
to us. We typically resolve any conflicts in
information provided and insist upon clarification
of information – which may come to us
in a language other than English, depending
on the local environment. We are dedicated to
producing a premium report in a timely fashion,
and you will be able to rely on our reporting
and our analysis of the details provided. Back
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Will my inquiry
be treated confidentially? Will the subject
be aware of an on-going investigation?
Unless authorized or specifically instructed
by you, Smith Brandon International, Inc. treats
all inquiries with complete discretion and confidentiality.
With our standard of excellence as applied to
the care and professionalism of each of our
investigations, it is unlikely that information
related to the investigation will circulate
in the local business community; under any circumstances,
our local associate is generally not provided
with full details on the purpose of the investigation
or any persons or entities associated with the
investigation. Back
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Do you have
references of current and former clients?
Yes. References can be provided upon request.
Due to the confidential nature of our work,
we generally do not disclose the names or addresses
of our clients. In special circumstances, we
are able to provide you with references from
selected clients. Please call us to discuss
your need for references. Back
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Will my identity
be revealed to anyone?
Unless authorized or specifically instructed
by you, Smith Brandon International, Inc. treats
all your requests with complete discretion and
confidentiality. With our standard of excellence
that applies to the care and professionalism
of each of our investigations, it is unlikely
that information related to the investigation
will circulate in the local business community;
under any circumstances, our local associates
are generally not provided with full details
on the scope or purpose of the investigation
or any persons or entities associated with the
investigation. Back
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JOBS
Can I apply for
a job with Smith Brandon International, Inc.?
We are always interested in hearing from qualified
individuals with a background in investigative
work and international security consulting.
Please send us your resume (inline, not as an
attachment) with a brief introductory letter
to info@smithbrandon.com
or by fax at 202.887.1395. We will contact you
if your qualifications match our immediate needs;
otherwise, we will maintain your resume for
future consideration. Back
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Can I become an
investigator for you in my local business community
or country?
We usually work with investigators who are
personally known to us from prior projects or
previous professional association. However,
we are always interested in hearing from qualified
individuals with a background in professional
investigations. Please fill out the form in
our “Contact
Us” section and we will contact you
if we have an immediate need for an investigator
in your local business community. You can also
send us an e-mail at
info@smithbrandon.com or send us a fax at
202.887.1395. We make a point of contacting
individuals during frequent international travel;
we would be pleased to meet with you as our
schedules permit. Back
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