Following the recent press speculation, Metro Bank PLC (LON:MTRO) today confirmed that it has received an approach from funds affiliated with The Carlyle Group regarding a possible offer to acquire the entire issued share capital of Metro Bank.

Metro Bank says that it has engaged with Carlyle in relation to its Possible Offer and a further announcement will be made as and when appropriate. In the meantime, shareholders are advised to take no action.

There can be no certainty that any offer will be made, nor as to the terms nor structure on which any offer might be made.

In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, Metro Bank announces that, by no later than 5.00 pm on 2 December 2021, Carlyle must either announce a firm intention to make an offer for Metro Bank under Rule 2.7 of the Code or announce that it does not intend to make an offer for Metro Bank, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline will only be extended with the consent of the Takeover Panel in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code.