Ms Jane Howard:

I cannot comment on what PTSB does but I can say what I would have done when I was there looking after small businesses. Typically, one would look at three years of trading performance. Given that we had Covid then I think most organisations today would, possibly, discount that year and might look back one further year. Typically, one would see what happened after Covid and how business had ramped up since Covid. Typically, one looks at three years but anybody today, with experience, would know that one would need to discount the Covid period. It comes back to these 100 customers that we are concerned about. Again, if the Members hear of any businesses in any of their constituencies that are struggling please ask them to engage with us and we will see how we can support them. We can give them all of their information on the way they have used their accounts with us. They will have all their trading records and accountants will be there to support them so people will be able to provide the information that the PTSB or any bank would need to support them with whatever their overdraft needs are.