Banks pledge support to small firms

Date: 11th November 2008

The banking sector has pledged its support to small business start-ups sector during the economic storm.

That is what the British Bankers' Association (BBA) will tell trade secretary Peter Mandelson at this afternoon's Small Business Forum, which will be hosted at the Bank of England.

Chief executive of the BBA, Angela Knight, said: "We are determined to help our customers make the most of their businesses and part of that is to ensure they have access to finance as well as independent advice and help when times are tough."

She added that business start-ups with good ideas needed to be reassured that banks were listening and working actively with them.

The year so far has been one of significant change for small firms, with alterations to the self-assessment tax return and the affects of the credit crunch providing new challenges.

Companies looking for financial advice and guidance could do well to speak to an accountancy firm.