Senior bankers from the NatWest-RBS Group have issued a strong “we are open for business” message to small businesses in the Bradford district.

The move follows a critical independent report by City grandee Sir Andrew Large who criticised the mainly state-owned bank for not lending enough to small and medium businesses and taking too long to make decisions.

Ian Cowie, the bank’s chief executive for business and commercial banking, led a charm offensive with commercial customers and business contacts to get feedback on its service standards and spread the message the NatWest-RBS is determined to do more to support SMEs in the area.

At a round table session in the Midland Hotel, the feedback about its local business lending operation from company bosses was ovewhelmingly positive with Mr Cowie emphasising the importance of local relationship managers in the lending process.

NatWest Commercial Bank has recently expanded its Bradford operation, led by Ian Barnet, director of commercial banking, by adding three support staff and moving into larger offices at the NatWest bank on Market Street. Mr Barnet said: “My team and I know there is great potential in this city and we really want to be seen as the go-to bank for businesses in Bradford, which is why we are improving our offering to customers here and we will continue to do so.

“Nationally, we have a market share of around 24 per cent and we account for more than 35 per cent of SME lending, so we really are punching above our weight, although we want to do more.”

Mr Cowie said: “We are determined to learn from our past mistakes, take on board criticisms and do more to support SMEs in future.

“Access to finance, or lack of it, is a recurring theme for many businesses but we are open for business and looking to increase our share of the SME lending market.

“As well as lending it’s also important that we offer business customers access to the right level of expertise and understanding about their businesses and that’s why we have sector specialists and our local relationship managers are a vital part of our operations.

“In meeting with Bradford business and professional services representatives I’ve been encouraged by the level of confidence there is in this area as we see the economy starting to pick up. Things are still fragile for some sectors, but there’s a definite spring and bounce returning and real determination to succeed which can only be good for the local economy.”

Among those attending the round-table discussion was Victoria Robertshaw, who runs Keelham Farm Shop at Thornton, Bradford, with her brother James.

The company switched to NatWest two years ago and she praised it’s Bradford business banking centre for supporting the business, which will open a second 20,000 sq ft farm shop in Skipton next year.