Yorkshire Bank has underlined their commitment to UK corporates by advancing £2.1 billion of new lending to business customers in just six months.*  And despite subdued demand for credit in the market, that's a 62% increase on the same period last year.

Consistent support for strong trading businesses, the provision of real choice in the market and a range of business-friendly initiatives have contributed to the Bank remaining firmly on-track to deliver its promise of £10 billion of new lending to UK business and mortgage customers by October 2011. Overall the Bank has advanced £8 billion of new lending in the last 18 months - a strong illustration of the Bank's commitment to growth. 

Business lending has been boosted by the Bank's Investing for Growth initiative, launched last spring across its 73-strong network of Financial Solutions Centres (FSCs) including its FSC in Temple Row, Birmingham, and which is designed to help successful businesses grow and develop.

Brian Colquhoun, Regional Director for Yorkshire Bank, said the level of lending is a clear indication of the Bank's commitment to UK businesses. 

He said: "Yorkshire Bank has continued to focus on supporting customers in these uncertain times.  We've listened carefully to businesses, from SMEs through to UK corporates, and have consistently presented a level of support and dedication which is much needed by UK companies.  

"Despite the subdued market demand for credit, we have continued to offer genuine financial choice in the market.  This, coupled with the attraction of the Banks' innovative integrated Financial Solutions (iFS) approach, has resulted in an up tick in new business customers switching to Yorkshire Bank in the past six months.

"We have a strong appetite for quality trading businesses across all sectors and have also increased the number of business banking centres in the UK with a new Financial Solutions Centre in Lincoln having opened last week.

"There's no doubt that the consistent and prudent iFS strategy has been instrumental in our ability to bring new business on board and remains a key differentiation for us within the sector." 

The Investing for Growth support package offers both new and existing business customers a dedicated planning service and a more flexible approach to lending. Loan repayment holidays, interest-only repayments and extended loan and credit facilities are just some of the flexible support options available under the Investing for Growth initiative which also includes a dedicated financial planning service.

And earlier this year, the Bank expanded its small business support network with increased high street presence, expanded 24-hour telephone and online services, and the appointment of more than 100 small business managers across the UK. 

An example of a local business which has taken advantage of new lending is:

• Absolute Care Homes (Central) Limited - Yorkshire Bank in Birmingham is financing a £5 million care home in Gravelly Lane, Erdington, Birmingham. The 68-bedroom home for elderly people with dementia is expected to open in March 2012.

* Unless otherwise stated, all figures compare the six months to 31 March 2011 with the six months to 31 March 2010