Banks do better, says BCC survey

BANKS HAVE changed their attitudes towards small businesses since the early 1990s, leaving the businesses more able to survive downturns, a new survey by the British Chambers of Commerce and the consultants Alex Lawrie concludes today.

The majority - over 87 per cent - of small firms questioned said their banks were supportive, with fewer than 10 per cent reporting deteriorating relations with their banks.

In comparison, a quarter of small businesses reported deteriorating relations with their banks in a previous BCC survey in 1994.