AIB insists it’s lending to start-up firms

AIB Bank is open to lending money to start-up businesses and house hunters, one bank executive said yesterday in reply to criticism from a loan applicant.

AIB Cork central regional director John O’Doherty urged attendees at yesterday’s 30th Irish Examiner-backed annual UCC Business Conference to apply for a suite of new loan options available on the bank’s website.

However, one businessman, who asked not to be named, said he has been waiting ten weeks for approval on a €5,000 short-term overdraft facility, an application backed by a purchase order for €100,000 from one multinational client. Today is scheduled as the final day for AIB to reply to that loan request.