Gildernew meets with HSBC bank chiefs

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has met with representatives of HSBC to discuss the impact of the credit crunch on rural businesses and farming.

This meeting concluded her series of meetings with bank chiefs having previously met with the First Trust Bank, the Northern Bank, the Ulster Bank and the Bank of Ireland earlier in the summer.

Following her meeting the Minister said: “I have again today stressed the importance of the agricultural industry to the economy and asked that lending institutions look sympathetically at spending proposals from farmers. This is particularly very important in situations where business plans presented are viable and government support has been agreed.

“At each of my meetings with representatives of the banks, their support for the agricultural industry was evident as was their desire to provide advice and assistance to those who are experiencing difficulties.”

The Minister concluded: “I want to encourage farmers to discuss financial concerns with their banker at the earliest opportunity to explore all options available to them. This will also allow them to ensure that any decision made was the best one given their own individual circumstances.”

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