Figures released by Alliance & Leicester plc show that the number of businesses choosing to bank with its corporate banking arm, Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank, has increased considerably year on year. 12,800 new business bank accounts have been opened, an increase of over 20 per cent compared to the first half of 2005. The bank’s share of the business bank account market has more than doubled since 2002 from 1.8 per cent to 3.7 per cent for the first six months of 2006.

The bank, reporting its results for the first six months of 2006, said that:

· Commercial Banking core operating profit increased by £5 million to £48 million in the first half of 2006.

· 12,800 new business bank accounts have been opened, an increase of over 20 per cent compared to the first half of 2005. The bank’s share of the business bank account market has more than doubled since 2002 from 1.8 per cent to 3.7 per cent for the first six months of 2006.

· Commercial lending balances are up £800 million to over £6.3 billion, an increase of 13 per cent from December 2005. Since 2002 commercial lending balances have increase by 85 per cent.

· Cash sales of £32.7 billion are up 8 per cent. Cash sales have increased by £13 billion since 2002.

· Almost 30,000 customers have already registered for Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank’s new internet banking service which was launched in April.

Richard Banks, Managing Director of Wholesale Banking at Alliance & Leicester said: “All core areas of our business have seen growth and we are seeing an increase in the number of businesses moving their full banking relationship to Alliance & Leicester. Our new internet banking service is proving to be popular with customers and the combination of convenient self service solutions together with specialist, expert advice via our business centre network teams enables us to provide the appropriate services for businesses of all sizes.”

Banks added: “Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank is now recognised as a major challenger to the big four banks. We offer a full banking service from very competitive current and deposit accounts to cash handling services to commercial lending facilities for businesses of all sizes, as well as specialist lending in sectors such as commercial vehicles and the public sector.”

Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank was recently awarded “Best Business Current Account Provider" by Business Moneyfacts for the fourth consecutive year.