Banking

Flatlining of loan demand from ‘very cautious’ SMEs, AIB’s Hunt says

“We have seen almost a flatlining of loan demand coming out of the SME sector going back many years,” the bank’s chief exec told the Business Post

Colin Hunt AIB recorded a “very strong” financial performance in the first three months of 2023, helped by the rising interest rates. Picture: Bryan Meade

There has been a decrease in the borrowing levels of small and medium businesses, Colin Hunt, the chief executive of AIB, has said.

Speaking after the bank’s annual general meeting (AGM) last week, Hunt added that a “significant number” of the bank’s SME customers don’t have any debt.

“There's still probably a sentiment overhang going back all the way to the experience between 2008 - 2011 in relation to borrowers’ willingness to take on more ...