Latest News
Venture funds to assist in credit easing support?
Fund managers should be given a role to play alongside the high street banks in delivering the government’s £40 billion credit easing scheme support, says venture capital firm EV.
FSB calls for increased competition in banking
The Federation of Small Businesses is urging the government to consider competition in the banking sector in its response to the ICB's final report next week.
RBS in bid to boost lending
The Royal Bank of Scotland has said it will aim to boost small business lending by at least 15 percent in three months as part of a drive to get behind the economic recovery.
FPB: Business Finance Taskforce not there yet
The Business Finance Taskforce has not yet achieved its aim of repairing the relationship between banks and small businesses, says the Forum of Private Business.
SMEs increasingly shun bank lending margins
Three quarters of small businesses think that bank lending margins on loans are too high, up from 73 per cent last year, research finds.
FSB welcomes banking reform
The Federation of Small Businesses has welcomed the recommendations set out by the Independent Commission on Banking on reform of the banking sector.
FSB: Government must not 'water down' banking reforms
The national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses has written an open letter to the prime minister urging him not to ‘water down' proposals on banking reform.
Free loans offered to riot-hit businesses
A major bank is set to help out businesses hit by rioting by offering fee-free loans.
BoE: Project Merlin on track
More than £20 billion was lent to small businesses by the nation’s leading banks over the past quarter, figures from the Bank of England show.
Project Merlin banks 'on track' for lending targets
The five banks involved in the government-backed Project Merlin initiative say that they are ‘on track’ to meet business lending commitments.
FSB: More competition needed in banking
The banking sector needs more competition, rather than lending targets, to give small firms a better deal, says the Federation of Small Businesses.
FSB: Give SMEs a chance for finance
The Independent Commission on Banking must change the structure of banking in the UK to help small companies get finance, says the Federation of Small Businesses.
Vince Cable to banks: Be transparent about lending or face new taxes
Business secretary Vince Cable has piled pressure on the banks to be more transparent about lending to small businesses.
FPB: Banks and businesses need to find common ground
A business lobbying group has urged banks and businesses to find common ground in order to stimulate lending and rebuild the economy.
BCC: Merlin figures 'disappointing'
The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) has said that banks need to reconsider how they communicate with business customers following today’s ‘disappointing’ lending data.
