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22 Jan 2009
SMEs are struggling to access credit despite business secretary Lord Mandelson’s multi-billion package to unblock the credit market, according to an association of accounting firms.
The government’s enterprise finance guarantee, announced last week, will underwrite 75% of a bank loan made to companies with a turnover of up to £25m.
But Kevin Dickens, president of the UK200 Group, which represents 120 UK accounting firms, said some high street banks were unaware how to apply for the scheme.
He said banks had told him the packages will not be available until the end of February. This could result in businesses going bust and make it harder for accountants to help clients get credit.
‘The infrastructure is lacking behind the grandiose statements. I have been trying to work with banks to find out the details of the scheme,’ he said.
’Mandelson said last week the money is available but I went to the banks to ask for lending for very secure clients of mine but the banks don’t seem to have the money, the method to lend or knowledge of the schemes,’ Dickens added.
A spokesman for the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform said the money guaranteed by the measures has been available since 14 January the day of the announcement.
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Briefings
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SME funding
It took me only 10 minutes to find the relevant information. Loans are made subject to the banks' normal lending practices. It should only take 24 hours for a bank to agree a form with the Business Secretary and to email it to all bank lending officers. So the banks have no excuse for not lending.
Posted by: Mike Feinson, 22 Jan 2009 | 00:00