Decent return for Handelsbanken

HANDELSBANKEN has revealed a 17% year on year rise in lending to British customers.

The Swedish bank, which has a number of branches in the Midlands, including Birmingham, Solihull and Wolverhampton.

Business lending increased 13%, to £8.68bn, while lending to personal banking customers rose 29%, to £3.58 billion. UK customer deposits increased 60% over the period – full year, 2013 – to £4.95bn.

Tony Hall, manager of Handelsbanken’s Temple Row branch in Birmingham said: “These excellent results reaffirm the strength of the long-term relationships we have built with both our corporate and personal customers.

“Our teams of experienced bankers continue to deliver a range of services to ensure all our customers’ business and personal needs can be met from their local branch.’’

Anders Bouvin, Handelsbanken’s UK chief executive, added: “Over recent years, our customer-led, local banking approach has attracted customers across more and more British communities.

“Our customers are looking for a long-term relationship with their branch team, who have full power to provide advice, decisions and service locally.”