SME demand for lending at 4-year high

Demand for lending amongst the country’s small and medium-sized businesses has reached its highest level in four years, with loan refusal rates down to their lowest levels for nearly two years, a new survey shows.

However, the latest quarterly bank watch survey from small firm lobby group, Isme also claims that only 5% of SMEs are satisfied with the Government’s efforts to solve the SME lending issue.

It also shows that over half of small firms are suffering as a result of the cost of banking increasing.