Lending to business

A significant degree of our environmental and social impacts are indirect, through our lending and financial support for corporate customers.  We currently manage such risks though Relationship Banking Managers: when submitting credit applications for sanctioning.

• In 2006, we endorsed the Equator Principles and we maintained our focus on implementing systems to ensure implementation across the group.  Awareness raising exercises took place with the group's credit teams worldwide of the environmental considerations to be factored into credit lending decisions.
• Business Debtline is a holistic telephone helpline offering expert, professional advice, enabling clients to deal with their business debts in an informed and proactive way.  Bank of Scotland Corporate has funded Business Debtline for a number of years.

More detailed information on responsible lending can be found in our Corporate Responsibility Report.