Banks are like all businesses. They’re hereto trade and provide a product. Simpleenough message you would think. Lastyear proved to be a quagmire of confusedcommunications in terms of our banksand their position with particular referenceto local business lending and support. Themedia have (with some relish it seems)taken huge swipes at the banks, theirlending criteria and some of the mixedmessages being communicated.Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets have

decided to really put their head above thefinancial parapet and be counted. Bravemove.As one of the biggest banks in the

region, it appears that Lloyds are doing allthey can to continue their support ofbusinesses in the South West andGloucestershire during 2011 and beyond.They’ve doubled the size of theirdedicated business teams by building on acore group of relationship directors toensure that they can provide businesseswith increased support, as well ascontinuity. Following on from their 2010position they’re continuing on a strong,solid commitment path to back businesseswith robust management teams into thisyear and beyond.You would have to be a hermit to not

realise that trading conditions in the in theSouth West and The Cotswold Region arestill extremely turbulent. That doesn’tmean business has to stop or indeed ignorethe old maxim of ‘strive to thrive’.Economic signals are mixed, but as wemove further ahead into 2011 there arepositive signs that companies should beperhaps positioning themselves to take realadvantage of potential opportunities.Jason Evans, Area Director, Lloyds Bank

Corporate Markets commented, ‘one ofthe key lessons for businesses from this

recession is that quality managementcounts, and I believe it will be a crucialfactor in getting the region’s businessesback on track. That’s why we set such greatstore by the strength of our customers’management teams’.It’ll be no surprise then that as economic

conditions improve those companies withexperienced management teams and acrystal clear vision for their businessshould be in pole position to takeadvantage of the emerging opportunities.There’s nothing stellar about this approach.It makes prudent sense for Lloyds BankCorporate Markets to support qualitymanagement teams through this economiccycle. It’s exactly this way they’ve beenworking with Gloucestershire businessesfor many years. Take Cheltenham laundrycompany Paragon as an example. Thisbusiness not too long ago won ‘familybusiness of the year’ at the GloucestershireTop 100 business awards and has beenbanking with Lloyds for over 80 years.The next 12 months are likely to remain

challenging for businesses, but there arelots of signs that Gloucestershire is full ofmany well-run businesses.Jason Evans went on to further

comment,’ I believe the strength andresilience of the management teams here

will stand our economy in good stead. Wewill continue to provide our full support tothese businesses by giving them thefinancial foundations they need to get backon track.’Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets have a

plethora of award-winning corporatebanking teams which are based in the keyeconomic centres of Cardiff, Bristol,Gloucester, Plymouth, Exeter andTaunton. They also have a hive of peoplewith the specialist knowledge to help yourbusiness succeed and grow.Their team of relationship directors are

available to offer support and guidance.Working alongside their dedicated localproduct teams, they provide corporatebanking and finance solutions tailored tospecific needs. Everything from riskmanagement and structured finance, tocash management and international trade.It’s quite a bundle of product offers andsupport. I’m a great believer in the humanface of any business and it was with acertain degree of pleasure that I found outthat Lloyds really wanted to be highlyvisible and approachable.Ian Bristow, Relationship Director,

Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets,concluded: ‘It just goes to show that evenin tough times there are still opportunitiesfor businesses. With the right level ofsupport from their bank, and a well-thought out business plan, the prospectsfor 2011 are encouraging.’So there you have it. A bank that’s’ right

on the money’, prepared to stand up andbe counted and offer a host of products,services and support to local businesses.

MARCH 2011 COTSWOLD STYLE � 2

business

right on the moneyEric Barton takes a look at Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets...

CS

For further information:T: 07710 650306E: ian.bristow@lloydsbanking.comwww.lloydsbankcorporatemarkets.com

Ian Bristow – Relationship DirectorLloyds Bank Corporate Markets

000 Lloyds Bank March 11:Layout 1 23/02/2011 17:01 Page 2