NI Conservatives’ finance spokesman, Harry Cullen, has said that “sustainable, responsible lending” must be the future for banking in Northern Ireland.
“The Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee in currently conducting an inquiry into the banking structure in Northern Ireland”, Harry explained. “This investigation is very welcome and NI Conservatives hope that it will result in a sensible, sustainable banking system, which will service all of its customers well, encourage good, viable businesses and benefit our economy.”
“What is absolutely clear is that we can’t go back to the days of irresponsible lending which accompanied the property boom in Northern Ireland. However there are many good, well run businesses which are struggling to get credit and banks need to help them expand and create jobs. The key is making loans available on a responsible basis, looking to grow the economy in a sustainable fashion and always making sure that customers can get a good service and good value for money.”