Bank pledges £1bn
YORKSHIRE Bank said it would make up to £1bn of new money available for North-east business customers during the next two years as part of a £10bn lending commitment to UK businesses and retail customers.
The announcement came as the bank revealed its annual results for its UK regions’ operations for the 12 months to September 30, which showed more than £4.1bn of new lending had been advanced nationally.
Regional director for Yorkshire Bank integrated financial solutions in the North-east, Kath Myers, said the additional lending pledge displayed the bank’s clear support for North-east customers.
“Yorkshire Bank has continued to support businesses and homeowners during the last 12 months and remained open for business in a period which saw lenders heavily criticised for restrictive changes to lending criteria,” she said. “These results clearly demonstrate our on-going financial commitment to our customers while our lending pledge signals our confidence in the North-east economy.”
A survey last month by the bank showed just over half of North-east business owners and managers expected to see consistent economic growth within 18 months.
