BusinessStartups

UK Banks Tighten Lending to Alternative Broadband Providers Amid Sector Challenges

Major UK lenders NatWest and Lloyds are reportedly adopting more cautious lending approaches toward alternative broadband providers. The sector faces mounting challenges including high construction costs and slower-than-expected customer adoption rates, according to industry sources.

Banking Giants Restrict Funding to Broadband Challengers

Two of Britain’s largest banks have reportedly scaled back new lending to the UK’s alternative broadband sector, according to sources familiar with the situation. NatWest and Lloyds Banking Group, previously significant backers of the emerging fibre optic industry, are taking a more cautious approach to new clients amid sector-wide challenges.

AISoftware

Lloyds Banking Group Reports Microsoft AI Tools Save Employees 46 Minutes Daily

Lloyds Banking Group reports significant productivity gains from Microsoft’s AI tools, with employees saving an average of 46 minutes daily. The banking giant is expanding AI implementation across customer-facing processes while maintaining quality checks on AI-generated content.

Major Productivity Gains Reported

According to reports from Lloyds Banking Group, employees using Microsoft’s AI assistance tools are saving substantial time daily. Sources indicate the banking corporation has deployed nearly 30,000 licenses for Microsoft 365 Copilot among its workforce, with a survey of 1,000 users revealing average time savings of 46 minutes per day.