Metro Bank Holdings PLC has put itself up for sale as part of a strategic review.
The listed company said it has completed a substantial transformation over recent years and has strong operating momentum.
The board said it remains highly confident in Metro Bank’s standalone growth prospects and its ability to deliver its guidance – reaffirmed in its Q3 trading update last week – but is unanimously in favour of evaluating potential interest through a formal sale process.
Metro Bank has appointed Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc as its lead financial adviser for the process.
Metro Bank said it is not in any active discussions with any potential offeror and is not considered to have received an approach from one. It said there can be no certainty that any offer will be made.
If the process does not lead to a transaction, the company said it will continue to execute its strategy and deliver its guidance as previously stated.
Metro Bank said it operates with the lowest cost of deposits of any UK high street bank.
The company said it reported the highest profits in its history for full year 2025, with continued growth in retail and business current account balances and in target lending segments.
An offer period has now begun under the Takeover Code, and shareholders are advised to take no action at this time.