Cups of tea, not dawn raids in UK bank probe

Inspections first major test of agency probing whether lenders are failing smaller customers

Britain's banks, under pressure to be friendlier to customers, greeted UK competition regulators investigating the industry with open doors and cups of tea at a series of visits since the start of the year.

Lenders from Barclays Plc to Metro Bank Plc, whose main branch is a short walk from the Competition and Markets Authority's central London office, were among those to get visits from CMA officials, reviewing the market for small business loans and checking accounts. The meetings began in January and wrapped up last week, the CMA said.