Other banks must follow RBS’ lead on lending to small businesses

Commenting on today's pledge by RBS to guarantee overdraft rates and contracts for its business customers for at least a year, Liberal Democrat Shadow Business Secretary, John Thurso said: "Today's announcement will come as welcome relief for RBS' small business customers who are struggling to cope with the worsening recession.

"The Government must now ensure that the other part-nationalised banks make similar pledges to their customers to ensure that the current recession does not become a deep slump."