The Spanish banking giant Sabadell is currently assessing the possibility of selling its UK-based subsidiary TSB to potential buyers who have already shown interest. The move comes as Sabadell attempts to resist a €11bn hostile takeover bid by rival BBVA, triggering fresh uncertainty around the future of TSB and its 5 million customers.
Acquired in 2015 from Lloyds Banking Group for £1.7bn, TSB has 175 branches and 5,000 staff across the UK. Now, almost a decade later, Sabadell may offload the unit to shore up its position amid mounting takeover tensions. The bank confirmed it has received “preliminary non-binding expressions of interest” and is open to evaluating any binding offer.
Analysts estimate that a TSB sale could fetch between £1.7bn and £2bn, with potential suitors reportedly including Barclays, HSBC, NatWest, and Santander UK. The deal could significantly reshape the UK retail banking landscape, which is already seeing increased M&A activity—Metro Bank and AIB have also made headlines with recent developments.
With regulatory reviews in place and Sabadell under pressure, TSB’s fate could soon rest in new hands. As the banking sector undergoes consolidation, a change in ownership could redefine TSB’s strategic direction and competitiveness.
