I read this from the Simply Business Link

'We can't force businesses to take loans' - Lloyds ChiefBy Josh Hall2 August 2010Lloyds chief executive Eric Daniels has rejected criticism of its business lending practices, saying the bank “can’t force customers to take loans.”As Lloyds Banking Group returned to profit yesterday, some business groups questioned whether its strong first half results were achieved at the expense of SMEs.But Mr Daniels said: “We are making credit available, but it is not always being taken down. We can’t force customers to take loans.”The bank, which is part-owned by UK taxpayers, made a pre-tax profit of £1.6 billion for the first two quarters of 2010. This is compared with a loss of £4 billion during the first half of 2009 – a swing which is largely attributable to a reduction in the amount ringfenced to cover bad loans.Many of the UK’s largest banks have been criticised for apparently failing to support British businesses. Business groups claim that many have failed to meet the lending targets set by the government.The targets were revised for 2010 after some banks suggested their net lending figures were being artificially reduced as businesses and consumers paid down loans more quickly.This morning Barclays also posted strong results, reporting a pre-tax profit of almost £4 billion for the first half of the year. The bulk of this profit was accounted for by investment, rather than retail banking.The previous government had planned to set up an independent arbitrator to consider cases in which businesses are denied credit, but the new coalition scrapped the proposals.When the election was called in April, fearing an increase in in interest rates we decided to convert most of the overdraft into a fixed rate loan leaving a small overdraft for comfort. Four months later even after having the proposed refinancing approved we have yet to receive the relevant forms or the loan. It makes me wonder why nobody considers manufacturing an important industry, why do they want all of our manufactured products to be imported than produced in this country. I know making garden arches is not an essential part of the countries industrial infrastructure but every one I make means that is one less that needs to be brought in from China or India.