Banks Agree To Help Caithness Companies With New Government Initiaitives

30th April 2009

Highland based banks agree to help Caithness companies benefit from new Government funding initiatives

Representatives from the main Banks operating in the Caithness area have agreed to share their understanding of the new government initiatives with local businesses at a specially convened event at the Weigh Inn Hotel, Thurso on 8th May from 1pm.
Businesses have been suffering from the effects of recession and the 'credit crunch' making life more difficult for those seeking to grow or simply survive.

Trudy Morris, Caithness Chamber of Commerce CEO states, "Now more than ever businesses in Caithness need to know how to access bank financing and working capital to realise opportunities and weather the economic storm. This event will allow organisations to understand what's available for them".

John Thurso MP is leading the session and will add weight to the proceedings by setting the context of the debate. In response to the challenges faced he said "I'm sure that I'm not alone in wanting to see Caithness companies being able to access finance for well thought out business reasons. There are a number of local funding and support mechanisms from Business Gateway, Highland Opportunity, The North Highland Regeneration Fund and new Bank initiatives such as the Enterprise Finance Guarantee introduced by BERR. Local businesses need to know how to integrate them all together"

The format for the event is an overview of the what's available followed by a question and answer session from the panel comprising: John Thurso MP; David Robertson, Barclays Bank; David Scott, Royal Bank of Scotland; George Moodie, Clydesdale Bank; a representative from HBOS; Neil Robertson, The North Highland Regeneration Fund; with representatives from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Highland Opportunity and Business Gateway.

The position of the Banks is critical to business success. "Barclays Bank is new to the Highlands and we are keen to support strong businesses in the area. Barclays are fully supportive of the new Government schemes and these will be utilised when appropriate" said David Robertson, Inverness based Head of Commercial Banking.

These sentiments are echoed by George Moodie of the Clydesdale Bank who stated: "Our solid base of Clydesdale customers will have the opportunity to access the new initiatives and we look forward to assisting them in the process."

Christine Campbell of RBS agrees saying: "Traditional methods of funding are, of course, still available, but we now have even more tools at our disposal to assist businesses looking to access finance."

This event is potentially one of the most important business networking occasions of the year so far and one not to be missed if you are in business.

To book your place logon to the Chamber website or contact:

Ms Trudy Morris CEO
Caithness Chamber of Commerce

T: 01847 896508
M: 07545 210946
E: trudy[AT]caithnesschamber.com
W: www.caithnesschamber.com