Small business owners find their bank manager distant and remote, according to new research.
The study, conducted by Close Invoice found that around half of bosses of small firms have not spoken to their bank manager for more than a year, while ten per cent stated they would rather go to the dentists.
David Thomson, chief executive of the firm, said: "With small businesses currently undergoing a bumpy ride due to credit crunch, it's unsurprising if many are feeling less than warm towards their bank manager.
The research also found that 58 per cent of SMEs feel that banks use "bully-boy tactics" in order to force them to use one provider for their financial services, rather than letting them shop around for the best deal.
Last week, the Forum of Private Business claimed that the monetary policy committee missed an opportunity to help small businesses when it failed to cut interest rates on Thursday.
