HSBC (www.business.hsbc.uk) is to make loans with a total value of £500 million available to SMEs in the East Midlands — an increase on the £400 million fund allocated in 2016.

This coincides with the formation of HSBC’s East Midlands Business Banking Team, with offices in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

Martin Hanson, HSBC’s regional director for the Midlands said: “The launch of this fund re-affirms our commitment to supporting the growth of East Midlands SMEs of all sizes, from start-ups to established businesses.

“We have so many ambitious businesses in our region who are keen to grow locally, nationally and internationally. This fund is all about helping those businesses make investments that will enable them to achieve their goals, while stimulating our local economy and creating jobs.”