TRADITIONAL banks look set to lose touch with new small business customers according to the latest business barometer findings from Alliance and Leicester.

As a new breed of younger, demanding small business owners arrives on the scene traditional banking services are getting the thumbs down. This includes the Small Business Adviser ranking only eighth out of the top 10 services considered useful while 24-hour phone-based advisers topped the poll.

Around the clock banking advice topped the polls with a self-help guide coming second and interest on current accounts in third place.

Lynne Turner, director of Alliance and Leicester Business Banking said: "With a new breed of small business owner making a charge on the market, banks will need to adapt. "Our research shows that there is a definite shift towards service and advice 24-hours a day to reflect the dynamism of the small business sector."