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A dynamic partner for a dynamic region


Santander Corporate Banking is extremely proud to support the first ever Thames Valley SME 100 list. This list represents the very best of the region, featuring a host of companies that anyone would want to be associated with and which will help support the much needed growth in the UK economy, writes Paul Robinson, relationship director for Thames Valley at Santander Corporate Banking


At a time when banks have been retrenching and there has been a perceived reluctance to lend, we have consistently believed in SMEs and their importance in the local and national economy. We are also optimistic about the prospects for the Thames Valley region, which is why we are investing in our team here. It is this approach that allows us to get closer to our customers and spend time with them individually so that we can fully understand their business goals.


Our customers tell us they want this local approach. By being ‘on their doorstep’, with a regional corporate banking centre in Reading and plans to open others in the region in 2012, we have a first-hand understanding of the local economy and the environment in which businesses are operating. We know the companies that are active in this market and are alert to new opportunities. And it’s not just the relationship directors that are close to our customers, our credit partners and product specialists are also based in the region. All decisions are made locally allowing us to react quickly and deliver on our promises even when timescales are tight. That inspires confidence.


I consider it very important that local businesses are serving the local community and at Santander Corporate Banking we work with partners across the region, be they advisers, accountants or solicitors. We are also affiliated with various local organisations and take pride in the fact that we are tapping into and helping to build local skills and capabilities.


As you can see, the Thames Valley SME 100 list consists of companies in all manner of industries – academic, property, retail, motor


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – DECEMBER 11/JANUARY 12


a 27% increase year-on-year, following a 26% jump in 2010.


We are very up-front about our Merlin commitments; in fact we are the only UK bank to have declared our lending targets. We are equally open about our progress towards achieving these targets and include details of their attainment in our quarterly reports.


Sustainable relationships


Of course, there is much more to our corporate banking proposition than just lending. We take a relationship-based approach that prioritises working in partnership, listening and understanding your business. Our highly skilled relationship directors can then provide entire solutions, involving credit, naturally, but also asset finance, invoice finance, trade finance, deposits, payment services or whatever else your company may need. We also call in experts from within or outside the Santander Group as required. We are equally passionate about working with companies with a turnover of £1 million or £50 million – we just believe in good businesses.


trade, manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, to name but a few. Our team of relationship directors includes individuals who not only have an established track record in banking, but also specialists in particular sectors, as in our education, healthcare and communities and real estate units.


Sustainable lending


There can be no doubt that access to finance is crucial and remains one of the greatest challenges facing many businesses. The good news is that the banking sector is recovering and should be better able to meet those needs, and Santander is determined to lead the way as demand picks up. We are actively looking to attract new customers and have kept on lending sustainably to sound businesses throughout the crisis. This lending has been driven by our local regional corporate banking centres, drawing on their superior knowledge of local conditions.


At Santander we have made a very public commitment to business lending. We fully support the government’s economic and social objectives, which Project Merlin – the accord between the UK government and the country’s main high street banks – is designed to address. We undertook to lend £4 billion to SMEs in 2011, out of total gross lending of £6.7b. I am pleased to report that we are on track, having lent £3.19b to small and medium-sized firms in the first six months of the year. That represents


As one of our local customers told us: “We are thrilled with our relationship with Santander. With financing for five years in place, we are confident we can deliver on our plan to open 40 new stores by 2015 – without it, we wouldn’t have the same security and we wouldn’t be investing in the UK and creating jobs. As soon as I met the Santander team, I knew they were people I wanted to do business with, and now I feel we have a business partner, not just a bank.” Such praise is our proudest achievement.


We know that many SMEs across the region are finding it difficult to access finance. They may feel that their bank is not genuinely interested in their company or they do not see their bank manager enough but that does not have to be the case. As long as they have a viable, sustainable business model and clear strategy, there is good reason for optimism – the banking environment is improving. At Santander Corporate Banking we are committed to government lending targets and recognise that SMEs are the lifeblood of the economy. We are determined to help such firms here in Thames Valley to unlock their potential. If you’d like to see what we can do for your business contact us today.


Details: Paul Robinson 0118-9211621 07809-493722 paul.robinson@santander.co.uk www.santandercb.co.uk


www.businessmag.co.uk


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