Ireland has second lowest approval level for loans to business.

A major report’s putting the spotlight on the level of lending being done at Irish banks.

According to the research from the Central Bank, more than one in four business which was looking for a loan or an overdraft was turned down in the six months to the end of March.

Ireland’s overall rejection rate is put at 24 per cent – that’s double the EU average, and means that only Greek banks turn down more loan applications from businesses.