Three banks deny anti-pub policy

Three major banks have written to the Morning Advertiser to stress that they don't have a blanket policy of denying loans to pubs.

Lloyds TSB, HSBC and Clydesdale also say they've taken steps to ensure greater take-up of the Government-backed loans initiative, the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme.

The MA and six trade groups have written to six major banks urging them to ensure lending is available to viable pubs, clubs, hotels and restaurants, in response to reports of blanket refusals to lend to the sector.

Lloyds TSB head of external affairs Stephen Pegg said: "I can confirm that we have no policy of declining loans to any specific sector including hotels, pubs and clubs, and indeed our lending in this sector has increased in the past year.

"We are committed to lending to all viable businesses across all sectors including the pub trade."

He said lending to small and medium firms grew 20% in 2008 and Lloyds TSB has committed to an extra £11bn of lending above existing growth plans. He added that Lloyds TSB is "one of the most active participants" in the EFGS, where the Government guarantees 75% of loans.

Noel Quinn, HSBC's general manager for UK commercial banking, said: "We are prepared to lend in any sector where we perceive a lending proposal to be sufficiently robust. This includes pubs, clubs, restaurants and similar businesses."

He said more than 1,000 specialists have been trained to deal with firms "in difficult circumstances", including advising on the EFGS — 10% of loans via the scheme are from HSBC, Quinn said.

Clydesdale Bank head of product solutions Mike Hart said "all proposals [for loans] are considered on their own merits and there is not a blanket refusal to lend to the hospitality sector".

Hart said nine out of 10 business credit applications are approved. A total of £12.1m of lending has been approved via EFGS and another £80m is in the pipeline, he said.