€500m fund available for agri-sector

AIB has made a further €500m available in lending facilities to the agri-sector, which comprises around 30% of the bank’s SME loan portfolio.

The fund — aimed at supporting the development of the farming sector via the financing of capital expenditure, working capital and asset finance — coincides with AIB doubling its agri-adviser team to 12 people.

Anne Finnegan, head of agri-sector at AIB, said the bank has seen a significant level of demand for credit from the sector in recent times.