Bank Propoganda Leaves The SME Business Still in Turmoil

Subsequent to the big banks advising of over £15bn in total profits the chancellor was approached and it seems they were candid in together agreeing a need to funding to viable companies. However, they have not disputed that they are at fault.

The six biggest banks within the UK have set up a think tank, as a result of government disquiet of a negative funding attitude, to help in addressing the credit drought. The chairman of HSBC communicated to George Osborne to clarify what action they were taking. There were to be four main areas to examine: The demand for funding and the price of lending: Alternative methods to support businesses through trade finance; government-endorsed strategies for business lending; assisting banks to procure finance through securitisation.

While in the States lending has declined at it's fastest pace on record. This has raised apprehension that the Fed may well have been premature in retreating from the emergency stimulus. Lending decreased by over $100bn (£63.8bn) since early 2010 declining at a rate of 16pc annually, further it was advised that $740bn of bank credit has simply evaporated, a record 10pc decline.

The UK banks though have responded by emphasizing that demand for borrowing from SME's was subdued and fell by as much as 25pc and that, strangely, in times of prudence customers were settling their borrowing faster than new ones were awarded. In August 2010, the Bank of England confirmed, lenders lent more money to businesses than was repaid for the first time in a six month period. However indicators suggest that maintaining this improved pattern may not be enduring. The figure advanced in August was £300million, the first positive since February.

Niche funders continued though to have an appetite for development finance funding and will treat proposals for both greenfield and brownfield development positively and with a genuine willingness to lend. While the larger high street lenders retract from the market and effect ever punitive criteria. Niche lenders will also consider both a pre sold and pre let speculative basis.

Within the correct circumstances 100pc of total development and development costings are available along with alternative rolled up interest during the construction phase. This means no development loan repayments or interest due until completion of development and/or sold or refinanced.

Many consumers, politicians and those attempting to procure mortgage finance have expressed disappointment at the high street lenders and see them as adding to their pot post the huge losses from the recession.

Bank of England figures confirm funding to non-financial entities declined by £7.7bn in June 2010 while lending to manufacturing also declined by £2.4bn. These figures make somewhat alarming reading and suggest that the banking industry is still some way from healthy funding patterns.

The decline in lending is not being reconciled by an expansion in capital issuance such as commercial paper and bonds, via private firms. These, too, falling back by £3.9bn. The NIESR (National Institute of Economic and Social Research) also put forward that 'real' property prices, taking into account inflation, will have collapsed to 2003 levels by 2015. Though the more hard nosed may well see this as mere tinkering and blinkered conjecture by one more Quango in a period where positivity is the key factor moving forward.