BARCLAYS Corporate Banking team has hailed a “strong” five per cent growth in its loan book and 15 new deals in the Scottish market.

The total value of the deals in the period from April 1 to September 30 saw Barclays securing double-digit-percentage income growth per annum, which the bank said it had managed to achieve every year for the last decade.

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It said it is a “considerable achievement within a challenging corporate lending market where growth has been difficult”, adding the bank continues to grow its market share and investment in Scotland following the announcement that it is to create 2,500 jobs when its state-of-the-art campus opens in Glasgow next year.

It said funding was provided across manufacturing, hospitality, food and drink, professional services, third sector, business services and retail clients in the first six months of the financial year alone.

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Jamie Grant, head of corporate banking for Barclays in Scotland, said: “It’s been a strong six months with excellent growth across a variety of sectors.

“Our funding has helped businesses to grow, enter new markets, restructure, make acquisitions and facilitate management buyouts.

“In difficult economic times we are clearly showing that Barclays is open for business and is here to help ambitious organisations reach their next milestone.”