AIB sees 18% rise in SME loan applications

AIB has seen an 18% year-on-year increase in loan applications from SMEs during the first half of 2015.

In a brief update on its lending levels to small and medium-sized enterprises and the farming community, the bank said the first six months of the year saw a “significant increase” in SME activity, with funds availed of rising by 48% on the same period last year.

“There is a general upward momentum building as the economy recovers,” said Ken Burke, head of business banking at AIB.