LLOYDS BANK has lent £700 million to manufacturing firms through its £1 billion manufacturing commitment launched last September, the bank has said.

It added that it is on course to meet its target of lending an additional £1bn to the sector over a year.

In conjunction with the University of Warwick Manufacturing Group, Lloyds has trained 100 relationship managers, and is in the process of training more, to give them a better understanding of the manufacturing sector.

Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking has also launched a Mid Market Charter to address the needs of businesses with a £15m to £750m turnover.