Lending to small businesses up

Over 45,000 new small business banking relationships were established in the month.

Commenting on the data, BBA statistics director, David Dooks, said: “The small business sector saw another monthly increase in its borrowing from the high street banks in May, while reduced trading activities and greater control of liquidity were reflected in increased deposits and little changed overdraft levels. Through the economic downturn, banks are working to support small businesses and more than 45,000 new banking relationships were opened in May.”