30 banking update


  


In the past few months, UK growth has been coming under increasing pressure, with forecasts being revised on a regular basis, writes Steve Clarke, area director for Thames Valley & south, Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets. This has caused a great deal of uncertainty among the business community in the south, as well as throughout the UK and has a real impact on business borrowing, with macro-economic issues the biggest factor affecting demand for lending in the region


  to emphasise that banks are open for   


... many businesses in the south are taking advantage of the current low interest rates to refinance their existing debt


The export market remains more buoyant than domestic demand, helped by stronger global trade activity and a sustained fall in the pound


The key differentiator for successful businesses looking abroad will be exchange rate management as this can easily eat into margins


 means many businesses in the south are looking to focus on cost containment,     are reluctant to borrow more while     companies are sitting on more cash than    ensure that they are getting the best returns on their cash.


 borrowing, many businesses in the south are     of future interest rate rises.


 have been lower in value, but the volume    million to the Gap Partnership, a negotiation   management buyout.


 that are more successful than others as  are, however, seeing a number of attributes common to those 


www.businessmag.co.uk


in the current climate, chief attributes   strong management team.


Many prosperous companies in the region  their income streams through international            management as this can easily eat into margins, something the government’s   


   However, with valuations now at sensible         


Details: Steve Clarke Area director 07920-207685 Steve.Clarke@lloydsbanking.com www.lloydsbankcorporatemarkets.com


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – OCTOBER 2011


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