Business · Companies · 16 mins ago
Metro Bank puts itself up for sale
Metro Bank has put itself up for sale.
The available information does not say where the bank operates.
Putting a business up for sale means it is seeking a buyer.
No buyer or offer is named.
The information gives no details about why Metro Bank is for sale or what a deal might involve.
What happens next is not specified.
Metro Bank has launched a strategic review that includes a possible sale as it seeks to accelerate growth.
The bank said it is not in active discussions with potential buyers and is inviting bidders to contact its advisers, Morgan Stanley.
Its board said it believes a formal sale process, alongside continuing its standalone plan, could maximise value for shareholders and benefit other stakeholders.
The UK lender said it had completed a substantial transformation and is considering options for its next phase of growth.
Metro Bank reported pre-tax profits of £61 million for the six months to June 30, up 41% from the same period a year earlier.
- Who
- Metro Bank, a London-based lender with 78 branches across the UK.
- What
- It has launched a strategic review that includes a formal sale process. The bank is inviting potential bidders to express interest.
- When
- November 12, 2026. The review was announced that day.
- Where
- The UK. Metro Bank is based in London.
- Why
- The bank says it wants to consider opportunities to accelerate growth and create value for shareholders and benefits for stakeholders.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Metro Bank was launched as a challenger to regular UK banks.
The bank shifted its strategy away from mainstream lending towards an underserved market as part of a major turnaround.
Metro Bank returned to profit, reporting an £87.2 million surplus against losses of £212.1 million in 2024.
The bank reported pre-tax profits of £61 million for the six months to June 30, up 41%.
Metro Bank announced a strategic review that includes a formal sale process.
- UK branches
- 78
- Pre-tax profit
- £61 million for the six months to June 30
- Profit increase
- 41% compared with the same period a year earlier
- 2025 result
- £87.2 million surplus
- Potential bidders
- Invited to contact Morgan Stanley
- Shareholder stake
- Jaime Gilinski Bacal holds 53% of the group
3 sources
What people are saying
The significant progress made by Metro Bank means it is now well-positioned to consider a broader range of strategic opportunities for its next phase of growth.
Against this backdrop, the board unanimously believes that evaluating potential interest in the company through a formal sale process, alongside continuing to execute the standalone plan, will maximise the value creation opportunities available to shareholders and deliver benefits for all stakeholders.