Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for not being here for Mr. Trethowan's presentation. Unfortunately I had to attend another meeting.

I am far from convinced that the two pillar banks are engaging more with customers. I think they are doing the exact opposite. They are withdrawing from front-line services, possibly to protect their bottom line. I am aware that in the UK there have been greater moves from German Landesbanks to come into the commercial lending sector. Has there been any genuine progress in the Irish banking sector's constructive engagement with the SME sector? I remain to be convinced that there has. The level of appeals is low. We all know from personal experience the anger people feel towards the banks with regard to lending. Can Mr. Trethowan put his finger on exactly why there is not more of an outcry and more people going to the Credit Review Office? It strikes me that we have a very loyal attitude towards our banking sector. We are incredibly loyal and do not tend to change bank or shop around for a bank. Is there not perhaps a fear of complaining in the SME sector, particularly the smaller SMEs? The owner-directors of some small SMEs take out their personal loans from the bank where they borrow for their business. That is quite common.

There is a fear within the sector of putting one's head above the parapet and bringing a bank to book if a person believes he or she has been treated unfairly. It seems that the level of engagement with the Credit Review Office is far lower than the level of anger on the street would seem to indicate.