TSB to create lending marketplace to break big bank’s hold on small businesses

Challenger bank TSB says it has bolstered its commitment to “break the shackles that the big banks have on the small business banking market” by creating Business Marketplace which it claims will allow small businesses to easily compare financing options from a number of lenders in one place.

The lender said it believes real competition is needed in the market to break the shackles the big banks have had on Britain’s small businesses for far too long and is is targeting the over 5.7 million small businesses across the UK that make up 60 per cent of the private sector economy.

Small business banking is currently dominated by the big banks that control over 90 per cent of the market between them and many small businesses still only approach the largest banks when seeking finance.

To break the near monopoly, TSB said today that it is partnering with Funding Options to deliver Business Marketplace in May, which will help small businesses scan the market in minutes, opening up the range of loans and types of finance on offer to them.

While small businesses can apply for a loan with TSB they will also be free to shop around and compare options from a wide range of other lenders through Business Marketplace – a solution that no other high street bank in the UK offers side-by-side with their own loans.

A multi-million pound investment programme is also underway to build new banking services for small businesses across the UK – led by TSB’s new commercial banking director, Richard Davies.

Mr Richard said: “When I speak to small business owners across the UK, I am acutely aware that running a small business leaves little time and energy to find the right business lender and navigate complex business lending procedures. We want to help small businesses to focus on what they love doing the most, which is running their business. That’s why we’re partnering with Funding Options to launch a straightforward and competitive lending marketplace that helps small businesses to borrow well – with access to a host of lending options that they can compare side-by-side to find the loan that best suits them.

“There is a huge funding gap for small businesses that exists in the UK today and it is stunting the growth of these firms and stopping them from investing to grow. Bringing more competition to UK banking is in our DNA, and Business Marketplace will allow a small business owner to easily compare what’s available in the market. We believe customers must be given choice, and that competition will drive us to create the best solutions for customers. This will help unlock the true potential of small businesses and address the stagnation of productivity in the UK.

“We want to create something better for small businesses in the UK and this is just another example of how we are leading the charge. As well as launching Business Marketplace, we’ll soon be introducing a new digital lending platform, offering millions of pounds of lending to small businesses. The platform will allow small businesses to apply and receive instant credit checks and approvals online – reducing time and paperwork. It will be one of a number of FinTech partnerships that we invest in to bring new services and experiences to small businesses – watch this space!”

TSB claims established lenders often have complex and time consuming application processes which don’t prevent a large number of applications being rejected – in the case of first time start-up borrowers the rejection rate is around 50 per cent.

Conrad Ford, chief executive of Funding Options said: “The future for banks is to offer not just their own products to customers, but also the best the market has to offer. This is especially true in SME finance, where not every small business is right for bank lending, yet a thriving market of alternative lenders stands ready to deliver much-needed funding.

“Business banking is a sector ripe for fresh thinking, so we’re delighted to be working with TSB on its forward-thinking approach to bring new choice and competition, and my team has been deeply impressed with the speed and energy of everyone at TSB.”

Today’s news follows TSB’s partnership with Enterprise Nation to help boost the digital capability of small businesses and entrepreneurs across the UK; and the announcement with its parent, Sabadell, where up to £100 million pounds of funding will be made available to invest in small businesses and start-ups based in regions across the UK.