International Hotel Investment Forum: banks keep faith in sector

  Banks are still looking to lend to the hotel sector, bankers said at the International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin.  Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays both reassured delegates at the conference that they are open for business.  Peter Anscomb, senior corporate director and head of hotel finance at Royal Bank of Scotland, said the hotel industry is a core sector for the bank and that it will continue to support it.   Anscomb said it is willing and able to lend to new transactions running into three figures. However, the bulk of the transactions will be around the £25m – £30m mark.   Barclays said that investing in the hotel industry in the UK and European markets is also a key focus.   Tim Helliwell, head of hotel finance, hospitality and leisure team, Barclays, said that it had increased lending by 16% last year and it continues to invest.   annabel.dixon@rbi.co.uk