Boss is real deal.

Byline: By GARETH DEIGHAN Industrial Reporter

LLOYDS TSB's corporate markets division has announced the appointment of one of the region's leading deal-makers, Stephen Carmichael, as director in its North East office.

Stephen will head a new team created specifically for corporate finance transactions.

Stephen, who was voted the Insider Dealmaker corporate banker of the year for the North East in 2007, will be working alongside professionals within the North East business community to help drive corporate finance transactions, primarily where the senior debt funding request is within the pounds 2m to pounds 10m bracket.

This is a specialist area and Stephen will collaborate closely with local colleagues within Lloyds TSB, including the large corporate and commercial business teams.

Mike Mullaney, area director for Lloyds TSB corporate markets, said: "With Stephen Carmichael and Gary Chapman, we have arguably the most experienced corporate finance specialists in the North East.

"Stephen is widely regarded by the local business community as having in-depth knowledge when dealing with corporate finance opportunities.

"From Carlisle to Middlesbrough, our new corporate finance specialists can answer all management needs, whether strategic acquisitions or MBO funding."

And Stephen said: "Lloyds TSB is giving me the opportunity to focus 100% of my time on this niche area of the market - the type of work that I thoroughly enjoy."

Stephen joins Lloyds TSB from the Bank of Scotland, where he has worked for 25 years, working in Newcastle for the last nine.

CAPTION(S):

CORPORATE EXPERT-Stephen Carmichael of Lloyds TSB