UK banks all set for an endurance test in real estate lending business
Property markets and banks find themselves navigating through uncertain waters, reminiscent of the financial crash of 2008 and the ongoing crisis. Unlike previous crises, there’s a sense of caution prevalent among banks and property owners, yet the impact remains undeniable. The real estate lending market, estimated at £238 billion, faced dismal rent collection rates of just 67% at its nadir in the past year. Among the worst-hit entities are the prominent banking giants known as the ‘big four’ – Lloyds Banking Group PLC, Barclays PLC, NatWest Group PLC, and HSBC. Their extensive exposure to the real estate sector has left