Metro Bank announced on Thursday, November 12, 2026, that it has launched a formal sale process. The London-based high street lender, which operates 78 branches across the United Kingdom, stated that it is initiating a strategic review to maximize value for its shareholders and accelerate growth. The bank confirmed it is not currently in active discussions with any specific buyers but has invited interested parties to contact its advisers at Morgan Stanley.
The decision follows a period of financial recovery for the institution, which was founded in 2010 as a competitor to established UK banks. In August 2026, Metro Bank reported that its pre-tax profits for the first half of the year reached £61 million, a 41 percent increase compared to the previous year. This performance marked the most profitable half-year in the company's history. The bank transitioned from losses of £212.1 million in 2024 to a surplus of £87.2 million in 2025.
To achieve this turnaround, the lender implemented a major cost-cutting strategy that included the elimination of more than 1,000 jobs. Metro Bank also ended its signature seven-day-a-week branch opening hours and shifted its lending focus toward what it described as underserved markets. In 2023, shareholders approved a £925 million funding package to stabilize the firm, which resulted in Colombian billionaire Jaime Gilinski Bacal becoming the majority shareholder with a 53 percent stake.
The bank's board stated that evaluating interest through a formal sale process, alongside continuing its standalone plan, will maximize value for shareholders and deliver benefits for stakeholders. If a buyer is not found through the formal process, the bank said it will continue to execute its existing strategy as a standalone entity. Morgan Stanley is currently managing the outreach to potential bidders, and the company has not yet provided a specific deadline for the conclusion of the strategic review.