Osborne warns banks to lend as £8.4bn profit expected

He has called for a more sympathetic approach to small business lending and told banks they have an "economic obligation" to help the sector, the Telegraph reports. In response, the banks are presenting new proposals to the Chancellor to improve the flow of lending to business as they brace themselves for renewed criticism about bonus payments. They have tabled suggestions to improve operations in the wholesale market and to tackle securitisation problems facing small businesses unable to provide loan guarantees. Analysts forecast the big five banks should collectively report inter...