British Bankers Association Taskforce Selects BDRC Continental to Research SMEs

Survey Will Provide Credible and Robust Data on Businesses and Financing

LONDON, February 24, 2011 - The Business Finance Taskforce* has brought together leading banks and
business groups in a Business Finance Round Table and selected BDRC
Continental to conduct and report on an independent and authoritative study
of SME finance and banking relationships.

This research will encompass 15,000 telephone interviews amongst
businesses with up to GBP25 million turnover, to be conducted between March
and December 2011, and will inform the current debate by publishing credible
and robust data on businesses and their financing. It will also establish
progress against the range of initiatives announced in the Taskforce Report*.

The project is being led by Shiona Davies, Director at BDRC Continental.
The first report will be published in July and on a quarterly basis
thereafter.

Angela Knight, Chief Executive of the BBA said, "The Business Finance
Taskforce is a major initiative aimed at helping business access the finance
it needs. We went through a rigorous selection process for a research company
to provide the clear, impartial and authoritative data required and were
impressed by BDRC Continental's knowledge of the issues facing SMEs in the
UK, and their expertise in understanding how to research and report these
topics. With SMEs representing more than 70% of the British economy, we are
pleased to be working with a research provider that brings more than a
decade's research know-how to this important study."

Notes to Editors

The Business Finance Round Table represents a unique body of stakeholders
in this field and comprises:

    - Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
    - British Bankers' Association
    - British Chambers of Commerce
    - British Venture Capital Association
    - Confederation of British Industry
    - Engineering and Machinery Alliance
    - Federation of Small Businesses
    - Forum of Private Business
    - Growth Capital Association
    - Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales
    - Institute of Directors
    - Quoted Companies Alliance
    - Barclays Bank
    - Lloyds Banking Group
    - HSBC Bank
    - RBS Group
    - Santander UK

* See www.bba.org.uk/taskforce for more information about the
Taskforce.

About BDRC Continental

BDRC Continental is the UK's largest independent market research agency.
Established in 1991, the company has built an unrivalled reputation as a full
service consultancy with specialist expertise across a number of sectors
including business to business, financial services, hotels, meetings &
hospitality, media & advertising, internet & telecoms, Government & not for
profit, culture & leisure and tourism, travel & transport.

BDRC Continental is staffed by highly experienced researchers with great
reputations in their individual fields as well as in the market research
industry. The company is renowned for its consultative approach and ability
to add value to clients' businesses by bringing insights from multiple
markets to the research. This cross-disciplinary approach enables BDRC
Continental to provide intelligence that is informed by a deep understanding
of the client's issues and the wider market context. As well as undertaking
bespoke research for a wide variety of clients, the company conducts a number
of syndicated studies and has developed proprietary techniques including
AdForensics and ZMET Visionary Thinking.

www.bdrc-continental.com

For press enquiries please contact Greenfields Communications, Lynda Hardy Maskell lhardymaskell at greenfieldscommunications.com Tel: +44-7979-646020