ZURICH, Sept 16 Reuters Nearly a quarter of Swiss industrial companies are unhappy with the service from UBS, notably in lending, since its 2023 Credit Suisse takeover, a survey found, in a blow to the bank39;s efforts to show it is not abusing its market dominance.

UBS has been under close scrutiny since it acquired its main rival, which collapsed after a series of financial setbacks, triggering fears that Swiss companies would pay a price for the enlarged bank39;s outsize market strength.

The poll by Swissmem, an industry association whose members include engineering firm ABB, found 23 of respondents said the quality and conditions of banking services had worsened in areas such as interest rates, loan pricing and credit limits.

A UBS spokesperson said the bank was in regular contact with Swissmem and was examining the survey in detail, adding corporate banking is of central importance to UBS.

A Swissmem poll in October last year found only 9 of firms reported feeling negative effects from UBS39; emergency takeover of Credit Suisse. But 36 feared conditions would get worse.

Of the 231 companies Swissmem surveyed in August this year, only 2 said banking services had improved, while 68 said there was no change and 7 gave no answer.

The Swiss competition commission favoured a deeper investigation into the bank merger, but financial regulator FINMA said in June it would not conduct further inquiries.

Switzerland39;s consumer price watchdog has also put UBS under…