Shawbrook testing investor sentiment for London IPO - report

(Sharecast News) - Commercial banking group Shawbrook has reportedly begun talks with institutional investors regarding the timing of a possible initial public offering in London. According to Sky News on Friday, the bank - along with part-owners BC Partners and Pollen Street Capital - have held so-called 'pilot-fishing' meetings to test investor sentiment before officially kicking off the IPO process.

The bank could attain a market cap of more than £2bn, according to the news outlet.

It was initially hoped that the business lender would return to the stock market - following a brief stint as a public company between 2015 and 2017 - in the first half of 2025, though plans were delayed until some time in the second half.

Now, according to Sky News, uncertainty regarding rumoured bank tax changes in the upcoming Autumn Budget may see the IPO being pushed out to 2026.

Recent years have seen Shawbrook engage in a number of unsuccessful attempts to take over or merge with rivals in the sector, including Metro Bank, Starling Bank and Co-op Bank.