Corporate banking sector 'could see positive signs for growth'

Institutions within the corporate banking sector may see more of their customers asking for credit for expansion.

According to a new study by Lloyds TSB, businesses are, in part, more confident about growth prospects.

Companies are also feeling brighter about the wider UK economy than they were three months ago, the bank’s Corporate Markets Business Barometer revealed.

Firms in the Midlands were three per cent more confident than they were three months ago, when asked about expectations for business activity over the next year.

Organisations in the south and north, however, saw a confidence drop of 16 and four points respectively.

Commenting on the figures, Trevor Williams, chief economist at Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets, said: ’Expectations for improvements in business activity may have slipped, but they are still comfortably in line with the long-term average - and that’s a good indication that long-term growth prospects remain positive.’

A recent survey by the Federation of Small Businesses found over half of respondents were concerned about the current state of the UK’s economy.ADNFCR-2318-ID-19775237-ADNFCR