Failure to secure the cash they need at rates they can afford, could lead to insolvencies and layoffs. "I think we're now starting to finally see the fall of some of the zombies," she added. This can include restructuring loan repayments, offering reduced rates or other more relaxed terms and can help banks avoid loan write-offs. "Banks and private equity shops have waited to see if the tide turned but higher rates don't allow hiding anymore." Any large corporate failures are likely to have a "contamination effect", said Tim Metzgen, an A&M managing director.

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Persons: Dado Ruvic, Alvarez, Julie Palmer, Begbies Traynor, we're, Begbies, Nicola Marinelli, Banks, Paul Kirkbright, Kirkbright, Eva Shang, Katie Murray, Naresh Aggarwal, Ravi Anand, Anand, Tim Metzgen, Jane Merriman Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Britain's, National Statistics, Casino, Regent's University, of England, Bank of, Finance, M's, NatWest Group, Association of Corporate, Companies, Thomson Locations: Europe, Middle East, Africa, England, Wales, U.S, Basel III