Will small businesses trust the banks' lending robots?

Robot lenders are increasingly seen as the future of finance, especially when it comes to loans for smaller companies. Automated algorithmic systems can make credit decisions in an instant, and should be much less hassle for the borrower. But a key question about their widespread adoption is whether small businesses owners used to talking about money matters face-to-face with bankers will trust the digital replacement. Take Royal Bank of Scotland, for example. The company's NatWest unit is rolling out a service for working capital loans for smaller companies, ranging between £25,000 ($31,200) to £300,000.