Who owns which UK bank?

Who owns HSBC UK?

Licensed entity: HSBC UK Bank plc. Credit rating and safety record

HSBC UK Bank plc is the UK ring-fenced bank of the HSBC group. Companies House records HSBC Holdings plc, which is listed in London and Hong Kong, as holding 75% or more of its shares directly since 21 June 2021.

HSBC UK Bank plc (FRN 765112) appears on the PRA list of banks for October 2026. HSBC Bank plc (FRN 114216), the group's non-ring-fenced UK bank, and HSBC Innovation Bank Limited (FRN 543146) each hold their own separate banking licence.

HSBC Innovation Bank Limited (formerly Silicon Valley Bank UK Limited) has been owned by HSBC UK Bank plc since 13 March 2023. It is a separate licence, so deposits there are not combined with HSBC UK for FSCS purposes.

first direct. The first direct website footer says "first direct is a division of HSBC UK Bank plc", so it is on the HSBC UK licence.

M&S Bank. On 1 June 2026 the banking business of Marks and Spencer Financial Services plc was legally transferred to HSBC UK Bank plc, and M&S Bank continues as a trading name of HSBC UK. Savings with M&S Bank, HSBC and first direct now share one FSCS limit. Press report: MoneySavingExpert.

HSBC UK and HSBC Private Bank. The M&S Bank website says eligible deposits are with HSBC UK Bank plc and lists M&S Bank, HSBC UK, HSBC Private Bank and first direct as brands that share one FSCS deposit limit.

Who owns Barclays?

Licensed entity: Barclays Bank UK PLC. Credit rating and safety record

Barclays Bank UK PLC is the UK ring-fenced bank of the Barclays group. Companies House records Barclays PLC, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, as holding 75% or more since 1 April 2018.

Barclays Bank UK PLC (FRN 759676) and Barclays Bank PLC (FRN 122702) appear separately on the PRA list of banks for October 2026. Barclays Bank PLC is the group's non-ring-fenced bank with its own licence.

Kensington Mortgage Company Limited has been owned by Barclays Bank UK PLC since 1 March 2023, when Barclays bought it from funds managed by Blackstone and Sixth Street. Kensington is a mortgage lender, not a deposit-taking bank, and does not appear on the PRA list of banks.

Barclaycard (UK consumer cards). The Barclaycard website footer says "Barclaycard is a trading name of Barclays Bank UK PLC" (FRN 759676).

Tesco Bank. The Tesco Bank website footer says "Tesco Bank is a trading name of Barclays Bank UK PLC". Barclays acquired the retail banking business of Tesco Personal Finance on 1 November 2024.

Kensington Mortgages. The brand belongs to Kensington Mortgage Company Limited, a subsidiary of Barclays Bank UK PLC since 1 March 2023. It is a separate lending company, not a trading name on the bank licence. Press report: Mortgage Solutions.

Who owns Lloyds Bank?

Licensed entity: Lloyds Bank plc. Credit rating and safety record

Lloyds Bank plc (FRN 119278) is directly owned by Lloyds Banking Group plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. The group also holds the separate Bank of Scotland plc (FRN 169628) and Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets plc (FRN 763256) banking licences.

Lloyds and Lloyds Bank. The Lloyds website footer says "Lloyds and Lloyds Bank are trading names of Lloyds Bank plc".

MBNA (personal loans only). The MBNA website says MBNA loans are provided by Lloyds Bank plc, while MBNA credit cards are issued by MBNA Limited. MBNA Limited is a separate FCA-authorised Lloyds Banking Group company and is not a bank on the PRA list.

Who owns Bank of Scotland and Halifax?

Licensed entity: Bank of Scotland plc. Credit rating and safety record

Bank of Scotland plc is owned by HBOS plc, which is owned by Lloyds Bank plc, a subsidiary of the listed Lloyds Banking Group plc. Lloyds took over HBOS in January 2009.

Bank of Scotland plc (FRN 169628) holds its own banking licence, separate from Lloyds Bank plc (FRN 119278), and appears on the PRA list of banks for October 2026.

Halifax. The Halifax important information page says "Halifax is a division of Bank of Scotland plc", authorised under registration number 169628.

Birmingham Midshires (BM Savings). Bank of Scotland's FSCS information lists Birmingham Midshires as a trading name of Bank of Scotland plc that shares its deposit limit.

Intelligent Finance (IF). Bank of Scotland's FSCS information lists Intelligent Finance as a trading name of Bank of Scotland plc that shares its deposit limit.

Bank of Scotland, Bank of Scotland Private Banking and Bank of Wales. Bank of Scotland's FSCS page lists these alongside Halifax, IF and BM Savings as names whose deposits are added together under one limit.

Who owns NatWest?

Licensed entity: National Westminster Bank plc. Credit rating and safety record

National Westminster Bank plc (FRN 121878) is owned by NatWest Holdings Limited, the ring-fenced holding company of NatWest Group plc. NatWest Group plc is listed in London and has been fully privately owned since the UK government sold its last shares on 30 May 2025.

NatWest Group licences on the October 2026 PRA list are National Westminster Bank plc, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, Coutts & Company, NatWest Markets plc, The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited and The Royal Bank of Scotland (Gibraltar) Ltd. Ulster Bank Limited does not appear on that list.

Ulster Bank (Northern Ireland). The Ulster Bank website footer reads "Ulster Bank, a business name of National Westminster Bank Plc".

Mettle. The Mettle website names National Westminster Bank plc (FRN 121878) as the bank behind Mettle. The Mettle e-money account itself is provided by PPS (Prepay Technologies Ltd), an e-money institution.

Sainsbury's Bank (credit cards, personal loans, savings). Since 1 May 2025 these products have been held by National Westminster Bank plc under a court-sanctioned banking business transfer from Sainsbury's Bank plc.

NatWest, NatWest Premier and NatWest Boxed. Mettle's FSCS information lists these with Ulster Bank and Mettle as brands sharing one FSCS limit at National Westminster Bank plc.

Who owns Royal Bank of Scotland?

Licensed entity: The Royal Bank of Scotland plc. Credit rating and safety record

The Royal Bank of Scotland plc (FRN 114724) is owned by NatWest Holdings Limited, part of NatWest Group plc, and holds its own banking licence separate from National Westminster Bank plc. The website footer reads "Copyright Royal Bank of Scotland plc 2026".

NatWest Group plc, the ultimate parent, has been fully privately owned and listed since the UK government sold its final shares on 30 May 2025.

Who owns Coutts?

Licensed entity: Coutts & Company. Credit rating and safety record

Coutts & Company (FRN 122287) is owned by National Westminster Bank plc, part of NatWest Group plc, and holds its own banking licence separate from NatWest and RBS. The Coutts website names NatWest Group as its parent company.

Who owns Santander UK?

Licensed entity: Santander UK plc. Credit rating and safety record

Santander UK plc (FRN 106054) is owned by Santander UK Group Holdings plc. Companies House records Banco Santander S.A., which is listed in Spain, as holding 75% or more of that company.

Santander UK plc completed its all-cash purchase of TSB Banking Group plc from Banco de Sabadell on 30 April 2026, after PRA approval on 19 March 2026 and ECB approval on 14 April 2026. The price was 2.65 billion pounds plus a net asset adjustment of about 213 million pounds.

Other Santander group licences on the October 2026 PRA list are Cater Allen Limited (FRN 178737), Santander Financial Services plc (FRN 146003), TSB Bank plc (FRN 191240) and the UK branch of Banco Santander S.A. (FRN 136261). Each is separate from Santander UK plc.

Santander. The Santander website footer names Santander UK plc, registered number 2294747, as the bank behind the Santander brand.

Cater Allen Private Bank (a separate licence, not a trading name of Santander UK plc). The Cater Allen website says it is "the name used for banking services provided by Cater Allen Limited". Companies House shows Cater Allen Limited is owned by Santander Private Banking UK Limited.

TSB (a separate licence, not a trading name of Santander UK plc). TSB Bank plc keeps its own authorisation (FRN 191240), and the TSB website carries a "TSB joins Santander" notice.

Who owns TSB?

Licensed entity: TSB Bank plc. Credit rating and safety record

Santander UK plc completed its purchase of TSB Banking Group plc from Banco de Sabadell on 30 April 2026, and TSB Banking Group plc re-registered as TSB Banking Group Limited on 19 May 2026. The ultimate parent is Banco Santander S.A., which is listed.

The Companies House PSC register for TSB Bank plc (SC095237) shows Santander UK plc as a person with significant control from 25 June 2026, and still lists TSB Banking Group plc. TSB Bank plc keeps its own banking licence (FRN 191240).

Who owns Tesco Bank?

Licensed entity: Barclays Bank UK PLC (trading name). Credit rating and safety record

On 1 November 2024 Barclays Bank UK PLC completed its purchase of the retail banking business of Tesco Personal Finance plc, covering credit cards, unsecured personal loans and deposits, by a Part VII transfer sanctioned on 17 October 2024. Tesco Bank is now a trading name of Barclays Bank UK PLC under a 10-year exclusive distribution partnership with Tesco.

Barclays did not buy the company. Tesco Personal Finance (renamed from plc to Limited on 6 December 2024) is still owned by Tesco plc through Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited, and it keeps Tesco's insurance and money services (ATMs, travel money, gift cards). It does not appear on the October 2026 PRA list of banks.

Who owns Sainsbury's Bank?

Licensed entity: Sainsbury's Financial Services Limited (formerly Sainsbury's Bank Plc). Credit rating and safety record

Sainsbury's Bank Plc was renamed Sainsbury's Financial Services Limited on 24 June 2026. Companies House records Sainsbury's Holdings Limited, wholly owned by J Sainsbury plc, as holding 75% or more of its shares. NatWest holds no shares in it.

Sainsbury's Bank Plc appears on the PRA list of banks for June 2026 but not for July 2026 or later, so it no longer holds a UK banking licence. Press report: Retail Banker International reports the licence was surrendered and the business rebranded as Sainsbury's Money, with the restructuring completed on 1 July 2026.

Sainsbury's Bank's credit cards, personal loans and savings accounts moved to National Westminster Bank plc on 1 May 2025 under a Part VII banking business transfer sanctioned by the High Court. Insurance, ATMs, travel money and Argos Financial Services were excluded and stayed with Sainsbury's.

Who owns M&S Bank?

Licensed entity: HSBC UK Bank plc (trading name). Credit rating and safety record

Marks and Spencer Financial Services has been owned by HSBC UK Bank plc since 1 July 2018, and the ultimate parent is HSBC Holdings plc, which is listed. It re-registered as Marks and Spencer Financial Services Limited on 19 June 2026.

On 1 June 2026 its banking business, including savings, cash ISAs, credit cards, personal loans and insurance policies, was legally transferred to HSBC UK Bank plc, and M&S Bank became a trading name of HSBC UK. Press report: MoneySavingExpert.

The company still appears as MARKS AND SPENCER FINANCIAL SERVICES PLC (FRN 151427) on the PRA list of banks for October 2026, despite the transfer. We could not verify whether, or when, its deposit-taking permission will be cancelled.

Who owns Nationwide?

Licensed entity: Nationwide Building Society. Credit rating and safety record

Nationwide is a mutual building society owned by its members. It acquired Virgin Money UK plc (and its bank, Clydesdale Bank PLC) on 1 October 2024.

The business of Clydesdale Bank PLC (trading as Virgin Money) transferred into Nationwide Building Society under a Part VII FSMA scheme at 23:59 on 2 April 2026, after High Court approval on 23 February 2026. Virgin Money and Nationwide are now one provider for FSCS purposes, with one £120,000 limit.

Before the transfer Clydesdale Bank PLC traded as Virgin Money, Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank. The post-transfer trading names listed by Virgin Money are Nationwide Building Society, Virgin Money and Clydesdale; Yorkshire Bank is not among them.

Virgin Money: since 2 April 2026 Virgin Money is a trading name of Nationwide Building Society; the ISA provider is described as Virgin Money as a trading name of Nationwide Building Society.

Clydesdale: since 2 April 2026 Clydesdale is a trading name of Nationwide Building Society, and Clydesdale Bank mortgages have moved to Clydesdale branding.

Derbyshire Building Society (also The Derbyshire and Derbyshire Direct): the FSCS lists these as Nationwide brand names sharing Nationwide's banking licence.

Cheshire Building Society: the FSCS lists it as a Nationwide brand name sharing Nationwide's banking licence.

Dunfermline Building Society (and Dunfermline Direct): the FSCS lists these as Nationwide brand names sharing Nationwide's banking licence. Dunfermline merged into Nationwide in 2009.

Who owns Coventry Building Society?

Licensed entity: Coventry Building Society. Credit rating and safety record

Coventry Building Society is a mutual owned by its members. It completed its £780m acquisition of The Co-operative Bank p.l.c. on 1 January 2025; the Co-operative Bank kept its own banking licence as a subsidiary.

Coventry has applied to the High Court to move The Co-operative Bank's business into the Society under Part VII FSMA. The final hearing is scheduled for 2 December 2026 and, if approved, the transfer is expected on 1 January 2027, after which deposits with the Bank, smile and the Society would share one £120,000 FSCS limit.

Coventry for intermediaries is a trading name of Coventry Building Society; its mortgages are provided by Coventry Building Society, Godiva Mortgages Limited and/or ITL Mortgages Limited. Godiva and ITL are lending subsidiaries, not deposit brands.

The Co-operative Bank and smile are currently brands of The Co-operative Bank p.l.c. (FRN 121885), a separately licensed subsidiary of Coventry, not Coventry's own licence. If the transfer is approved they become trading names of Coventry Building Society from 1 January 2027.

Who owns The Co-operative Bank?

Licensed entity: The Co-operative Bank p.l.c.. Credit rating and safety record

The Co-operative Bank p.l.c. has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Coventry Building Society since 1 January 2025, when Coventry completed a £780m acquisition. It is no longer owned by a private equity or hedge fund consortium.

The Bank still holds its own licence (FRN 121885). A Part VII transfer of its business into Coventry Building Society has a final High Court hearing on 2 December 2026 and is expected to take effect on 1 January 2027 if approved; The Co-operative Bank and smile would continue as trading names of the Society.

smile: the Bank's FSCS information sheet says eligible deposits with The Co-operative Bank and smile are added together under one £120,000 limit.

Who owns Skipton Building Society?

Licensed entity: Skipton Building Society. Credit rating and safety record

Skipton Building Society (FRN 153706) is a mutual owned by its members and heads Skipton Group, whose other main businesses are Skipton International Limited, the Connells estate agency group, Skipton Business Finance and Jade.

We found no other consumer savings trading names on Skipton Building Society's own licence. Skipton International Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary licensed in Guernsey and covered by the Guernsey Banking Deposit Compensation Scheme, so it is not a brand of the UK society's licence. We found no Skipton merger or transfer of engagements in 2024-2026.

Who owns Leeds Building Society?

Licensed entity: Leeds Building Society. Credit rating and safety record

Leeds Building Society (FRN 164992) is a mutual owned by its members. It reported its 2026 half-year results in July 2026 as an independent society, with savings balances of £26.4bn.

We found no Leeds Building Society merger, acquisition or transfer of engagements in 2024-2026. Its last merger was with Mercantile Building Society in 2006.

Who owns Yorkshire Building Society?

Licensed entity: Yorkshire Building Society. Credit rating and safety record

Yorkshire Building Society (FRN 106085) is a mutual owned by its members. Its website says it trades as Chelsea Building Society, the Chelsea, Norwich & Peterborough Building Society, Norwich & Peterborough and N&P. We found no Yorkshire merger or transfer of engagements in 2024-2026.

Accord Mortgages Limited is Yorkshire's intermediary-only mortgage lending subsidiary, launched in 2003; it is a lending brand, not a savings brand. The Egg brand was acquired by Yorkshire in 2011, but the current YBS website footer no longer lists Egg as a trading name.

Chelsea Building Society: the Chelsea's business, trading name and liabilities transferred to Yorkshire Building Society on 1 April 2010, and YBS lists it as one of its trading names.

Norwich & Peterborough Building Society (N&P): N&P's property and liabilities transferred to Yorkshire Building Society on 1 November 2011, and YBS lists it as one of its trading names.

Who owns Principality Building Society?

Licensed entity: Principality Building Society. Credit rating and safety record

Principality Building Society (FRN 155998) is a Cardiff-based mutual owned by its members, with assets of about £14.1bn. It reported 2025 results as an independent society.

We found no Principality merger or transfer of engagements in 2024-2026. Coverage of its April 2026 AGM reports the chief executive Iain Mansfield referring to open and constructive conversations about the future of the Society, without detail of any deal.

Who owns Metro Bank?

Licensed entity: Metro Bank PLC. Credit rating and safety record

Metro Bank PLC has been wholly owned by Metro Bank Holdings PLC, the London-listed holding company, since 19 May 2023. Spaldy Investments, owned by Jaime Gilinski Bacal, disclosed 53.03% of the voting rights in Metro Bank Holdings after buying shares on 2 September 2026 (announced 7 September 2026).

Press report: a Pollen Street Capital and BC Partners approach was rejected by the board after a valuation disagreement, and Gilinski was reported open to selling his stake. We found no agreed offer or change of control as of October 2026.

Who owns Chase?

Licensed entity: J.P. Morgan Europe Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Chase is a trading name of J.P. Morgan Europe Limited (FRN 124579), which is owned by J.P. Morgan Capital Holdings Limited. The ultimate parent is JPMorgan Chase & Co., which is listed on the NYSE.

Who owns Marcus by Goldman Sachs?

Licensed entity: Goldman Sachs International Bank.

The Marcus UK website says "Marcus by Goldman Sachs is a registered trademark and trading name of Goldman Sachs International Bank" (company 01122503). That bank (FRN 124659) appears on the PRA list of banks for October 2026, and its PSC is Goldman Sachs Group UK Limited.

No sale of Marcus UK to Barclays or any other buyer was found in October 2026. Goldman sold US Marcus loans to Varde in 2023, and press reports linking Barclays to Goldman concern the US General Motors credit card programme, not Marcus UK.

Who owns Starling Bank?

Licensed entity: Starling Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Starling Bank Limited is wholly owned by Starling Intermediate Holdings Limited (since 30 September 2025), which is wholly owned by Starling Group Holdings Limited, the new ultimate parent inserted in June 2025. The group is private and not listed.

No one controls Starling Group Holdings. At 31 March 2026 its largest shareholder, JTC Starling Holdings Limited, held 37.5% of the shares and 40.9% of the votes. JTC's beneficial owner is Harald McPike-Zima, the only registered PSC (25-50% through control of a trust's trustees). The annual report calls Chrysalis Investments a significant shareholder.

Starling has not filed for an IPO. Press report: the CEO said in January 2026 that timing and venue are for shareholders to decide, and City AM reported in February 2026 that McPike had withdrawn support for a London listing, which raises the prospect of a New York float.

Who owns Monzo?

Licensed entity: Monzo Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Monzo Bank Limited is wholly owned by Monzo Bank Holding Group Limited (since 12 September 2023). The holding company states that no person holds more than 25%, and its accounts for the year to 31 March 2026 say there is no overall controlling party. It is private and not listed.

Large investors include Accel, Iconiq, Passion Capital, General Catalyst, Tencent, GIC, CapitalG and GV. Press report: in December 2025 investors led by Accel and Iconiq, said to hold more than 40% of the shares between them, challenged the board over the CEO's exit. No single holder's percentage is disclosed.

Monzo has not filed for an IPO. Press report: in late September 2026 Monzo was reported to be in early sale talks with Brazil's Nu Holdings (Nubank) at an £8bn to £10bn valuation, and Advent International was reported to be interested in a minority stake. On 30 September 2026 Nu Holdings said it is not pursuing a transaction with Monzo.

Who owns Revolut?

Licensed entity: Revolut Bank UK Ltd (the bank) and Revolut Ltd (e-money). Credit rating and safety record

Revolut's UK bank is a separate company, Revolut Bank UK Ltd (formerly Revolut NewCo UK Ltd, company 12871051, FRN 981170). It left mobilisation and became a fully authorised UK bank on 11 March 2026. Revolut Ltd (08804411) is the group's e-money institution, not a bank. Both are wholly owned by Revolut Group Holdings Ltd.

Co-founder and CEO Nik Storonsky is the only registered person with significant control of Revolut Group Holdings Ltd, with more than 25% but not more than 50% of the shares and the right to appoint directors. The group is private. Press report: a November 2025 secondary share sale valued it at $75bn, with buyers led by Coatue, Greenoaks, Dragoneer and Fidelity.

Yes, Revolut is now a UK bank: Revolut Bank UK Ltd has been fully authorised since 11 March 2026, and deposits held with it are FSCS-protected. Existing UK customers are being moved from the e-money entity Revolut Ltd to the bank in phased batches. Revolut's help pages said in May 2026 that not all customers had moved yet. We could not verify whether the move had finished by October 2026.

Who owns Atom bank?

Licensed entity: Atom Bank plc. Credit rating and safety record

Atom Bank plc is wholly owned by Atom Holdco plc (since 14 October 2022), which is private and unlisted. BBVA S.A. holds more than 25% but not more than 50% of Atom Holdco's shares and votes. Toscafund Asset Management LLP holds more than 25% but not more than 50% of the votes. The holdco's 2026 annual report calls them the two largest shareholders, each with the right to appoint directors.

Press report: a sale of Atom aimed at about £600m was abandoned in June 2026 after bids, including one from Pollen Street Capital, fell short. Leeds and Yorkshire building societies did not make formal bids. CEO Mark Mullen was then expected to step down. Ownership is unchanged and no IPO has been filed.

Who owns Tandem?

Licensed entity: Tandem Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Tandem Bank Limited (formerly Harrods Bank Limited) is wholly owned by Tandem Money Limited. Tandem Money's 2025 accounts say that a majority shareholding has been held since 24 January 2022 by PSC Nominee 4 Limited, a Guernsey investment vehicle of Pollen Street Capital Limited. Two Pollen Street partners sit on the board as shareholder non-executive directors.

Tandem Money's PSC register has said since 19 March 2024 that there is no registrable person. Pollen Street Plc ceased to be listed as the 50-75% holder on that date, while the 2025 accounts still describe Pollen Street vehicles as the majority shareholder. We found no 2025 or 2026 sale of Tandem.

Who owns Zopa?

Licensed entity: Zopa Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Zopa Bank Limited is wholly owned by Zopa Group plc, a private, unlisted public limited company whose 2025 accounts state it has no ultimate parent or controlling party. Its only registered PSC is US investor Brett Allen Hildebrand, with more than 25% but not more than 50% of the shares and votes since June 2020. IAG Silverstripe, a long-standing lead investor, was issued warrants on that date.

Other named shareholders include SoftBank Vision Fund 2, which led the 2021 round, and A.P. Moller Holding, which led the December 2024 round of about £68m. Augmentum Fintech and Davidson Kempner are also holders. Press report: the CEO says an IPO has no timeline, and We found no 2025 or 2026 listing filing.

Who owns Kroo?

Licensed entity: Kroo Bank Ltd. Credit rating and safety record

Kroo Bank Ltd has no holding company. Its only registered PSC is US investor Colby David Lamberson, who has held more than 50% but less than 75% of the shares and votes since 21 July 2025 and joined the board as a non-executive director on 2 July 2025. The 2025 accounts confirm that the largest shareholder is a board member.

Kroo raised £34.7m of capital in 2025 and a further £24.4m after year end, through repeated share allotments to August 2026. Shareholders turned down a potential takeover offer in 2025. The unrelated Kroo Group Limited (17199798, incorporated May 2026) has a different PSC and is not shown as connected to the bank.

Who owns Kent Reliance?

Licensed entity: OneSavings Bank plc.

OneSavings Bank plc (company 07312896, FRN 530504) is wholly owned by OSB Group plc, a London-listed company that became the group holding company on 30 November 2020. Kent Reliance is a trading name of OneSavings Bank plc.

Since 22 September 2025 OneSavings Bank plc has directly owned Charter Court Financial Services Limited (replacing CCFSG Holdings Limited as its parent), but the two remain separately authorised banks with different firm reference numbers.

Who owns Charter Savings Bank?

Licensed entity: Charter Court Financial Services Limited.

Charter Savings Bank is a trading name of Charter Court Financial Services Limited (company 06749498, FRN 494549), which describes itself as part of OSB Group. OSB acquired the Charter Court group on 4 October 2019.

Since 22 September 2025 its immediate parent has been OneSavings Bank plc (75% or more of shares and votes), whose own parent is OSB Group plc. It still has its own authorisation and its own £120,000 FSCS limit, separate from Kent Reliance.

Who owns Paragon Bank?

Licensed entity: Paragon Bank PLC. Credit rating and safety record

Paragon Bank PLC is wholly owned by Paragon Banking Group PLC (75% or more of shares and votes), which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. We found no takeover approach in 2026; the group announced a further buyback of up to £50m on 2 June 2026.

Who owns Close Brothers?

Licensed entity: Close Brothers Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Close Brothers Limited, the banking company, is owned by Close Brothers Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of London-listed Close Brothers Group plc. We found no takeover bid for the group in 2026; the group sold Close Brothers Asset Management to Oaktree funds in 2025 and agreed the sale of Winterflood in 2025.

Who owns Secure Trust Bank?

Licensed entity: Secure Trust Bank PLC. Credit rating and safety record

Secure Trust Bank PLC is itself the London-listed company, so Companies House records it as exempt from PSC reporting. It agreed to sell its consumer vehicle finance business to funds managed by LCM Partners and started a £10m share buyback on 7 September 2026; We found no takeover offer.

Who owns Vanquis Bank?

Licensed entity: Vanquis Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Vanquis Bank Limited is owned by VBG Holdings Limited (since 25 February 2021, replacing Provident Financial plc), within London-listed Vanquis Banking Group plc, the renamed Provident Financial group. We found no takeover offer in 2026.

Who owns Aldermore?

Licensed entity: Aldermore Bank PLC. Credit rating and safety record

Aldermore Bank PLC is wholly owned by Aldermore Group PLC, which FirstRand Limited, the Johannesburg-listed South African group, bought for about £1.1bn; Companies House records FirstRand International Limited (Guernsey) taking control of Aldermore Group on 14 March 2018.

Press report: on 7 April 2026 FirstRand said it would sell Aldermore, including MotoNovo Finance, citing motor finance redress costs. Non-binding offers were due by end of September and binding offers by end of December 2026; We found no announced buyer as of October 2026.

Who owns Shawbrook?

Licensed entity: Shawbrook Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Shawbrook Bank Limited is wholly owned by Shawbrook Group plc, which was admitted to the London Stock Exchange Main Market on 4 November 2025 after an IPO at 370p.

Former sole owner Marlin Bidco went into voluntary liquidation on 7 January 2026 and distributed its shares. Shawbrook's 2025 annual report says PSC Marlin Holdco Limited (Pollen Street) and Marlinbass Limited (BC Partners) each own 37.56%, about 75% combined, and both count as controlling shareholders.

Who owns Investec?

Licensed entity: Investec Bank plc. Credit rating and safety record

Investec Bank plc is owned by Investec 1 Limited (75% or more of shares and votes) within London-listed Investec plc, which forms a dual-listed company structure with Johannesburg-listed Investec Limited. We found no 2026 sale or takeover.

Who owns Hodge Bank?

Licensed entity: Julian Hodge Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

The Bank's 2025 accounts say its immediate parent is Hodge Limited and its ultimate parent and controller is The Carlyle Trust (Jersey) Limited; group accounts are drawn up by The Carlyle Trust Limited. Companies House shows Hodge Limited holding 75% or more since 31 October 2017.

The Hodge Foundation (formerly The Jane Hodge Foundation, a charity) says it owns 79% of the Hodge group of businesses. We could not verify from the Bank's accounts how the Foundation's 79% is held through The Carlyle Trust.

Who owns Recognise Bank?

Licensed entity: Recognise Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

City of London Group plc no longer owns Recognise Bank. Its liquidators distributed its Recognise shares to COLG shareholders as a dividend in specie in February 2023, and City of London Group plc was dissolved on 3 June 2025.

Recognise calls Parasol V27 Limited its largest shareholder; PV27 injected £20m on 1 November 2024 and £5m on 31 March 2026. Companies House listed PV27 as holding 50-75% from 24 February 2023 to 7 August 2025, and since then has filed a statement that there is no registrable person. We could not verify PV27's current percentage.

Who owns Cambridge & Counties Bank?

Licensed entity: Cambridge & Counties Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Companies House lists Trinity Hall (a Cambridge college) and Cambridgeshire County Council as each holding over 25% but not over 50% of the shares. The Council holds its half as administering authority of the Cambridgeshire Pension Fund (Local Government Pension Scheme), whose holdings list includes the bank.

Who owns United Trust Bank?

Licensed entity: United Trust Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

United Trust Bank Limited is owned (75% or more) by UTB Partners plc, an unlisted holding company. At UTB Partners plc, Companies House lists Accuro Fiduciary Services Limited (a trustee) with over 25% but not over 50% of shares and Michael Lewis with significant influence over the trustees of a trust (since 3 July 2025).

Warburg Pincus completed the purchase of a minority equity stake from UTB's majority shareholders in March 2025, valuing the group at about £520m; the stake percentage was not disclosed.

Who owns Hampshire Trust Bank?

Licensed entity: Hampshire Trust Bank Plc. Credit rating and safety record

HTB's 2025 annual report says the Bank is a subsidiary of Hoggant Limited, whose equity is mostly owned by Hoggant L.P. (Guernsey). That partnership is not controlled by a single party and is majority owned by funds managed by Alchemy Special Opportunities (Guernsey) Limited. Alchemy has owned HTB since 2014.

In 2025 Alchemy brought in an additional minority shareholder, a fund managed by Bayview Asset Management (Florida), and Mikkel Hauerberg of Bayview joined the board in December 2025. We found no Ares Management shareholding in HTB's 2023 or 2025 annual reports.

Who owns ClearBank?

Licensed entity: ClearBank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

ClearBank Limited is controlled by ClearBank Group Holdings Limited (14254435). The group's 2025 accounts name CB Growth Holdings Limited, incorporated in Jersey, as the ultimate parent and controlling party. ClearBank Group Holdings has said since November 2022 that no person holds more than 25%.

ClearBank's main backers are funds advised by Apax Digital, which led a £175m round in 2022, and existing investors CFFI UK Ventures (Barbados), linked to John Risley, and PPF Financial Holdings. Until November 2022 both CFFI and PPF were registered PSCs with 25-50% each. We could not verify current percentages.

Who owns Allica Bank?

Licensed entity: Allica Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Allica Bank Limited is private. Its only registered PSC is Warwick Capital Partners LLP, with more than 25% but not more than 50% of the shares and votes and the right to appoint directors. Its 2025 accounts name Warwick Capital Partners, TCV and Blue Owl (formerly Atalaya) as the major shareholders with significant influence.

In February 2026 Allica raised $155m in a Series D at a valuation of about $1.2bn from new investors Ventura Capital, GLG and Sona AM, with TCV and Blue Owl also taking part. Allica Group Holdings Limited (17315453) was incorporated on 2 July 2026 with CEO Richard Davies as its sole PSC. We could not verify whether it will become the bank's parent, and no IPO has been filed.

Who owns OakNorth?

Licensed entity: OakNorth Bank plc. Credit rating and safety record

OakNorth Bank plc is wholly owned by OakNorth Holdings Limited, a Jersey company that its 2025 accounts name as immediate and ultimate controlling party. Co-founder and CEO Rishi Khosla is the bank's only registered PSC, by significant influence or control. He is also the PSC of OakNorth UK Holdings Limited (June 2025) and OakNorth Interim Holdings Limited (April 2026), new UK companies whose role We could not verify.

Press report: OakNorth's backers include SoftBank Vision Fund, Clermont Group, GIC and Toscafund. Indiabulls Housing Finance took about 40% in 2015 and later sold down. In October 2025 Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners agreed to buy about 8% from an existing investor. No IPO has been filed.

Who owns Cynergy Bank?

Licensed entity: Cynergy Bank plc. Credit rating and safety record

Cynergy Bank plc (formerly Bank of Cyprus UK) has been wholly owned by Cynergy Capital Ltd since a consortium bought it from Bank of Cyprus for £103m in November 2018. Pradip Dhamecha has more than 25% but not more than 50% of Cynergy Capital and is also a PSC of the bank by significant influence or control.

Cynergy Capital's 2025 accounts record interests through a related legal entity in 63,320,002 shares for Pradip Dhamecha and 31,660,001 for Balbinder Sohal, out of 199,300,005 shares in issue (about 32% and 16%). Neither these accounts nor the PSC registers mention Pimco or Elliott, and We found no 2025 or 2026 sale.

Who owns Monument Bank?

Licensed entity: Monument Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Monument Bank Limited is a private bank with no holding company. Its 2025 accounts state that there is no ultimate controlling party, and its PSC register has said since January 2024 that no person holds more than 25%. Founder Mintoo Bhandari was a PSC from 2018 to January 2024.

Press report: Dubai-listed Dubai Investments PJSC raised its stake in Monument from 9.25% to 16.93% in 2023. In 2025 Sky News reported the bank was raising up to £200m in a Series C and targeting a Nasdaq listing by the end of 2027. We could not verify the current percentages.

Who owns GB Bank?

Licensed entity: GB Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

GB Bank's immediate parent is Hera Holdings Limited of Jersey, which owns more than 50% of its share capital. The ultimate controlling party is Sameer Gehlaut, a PSC since 14 May 2024 with more than 50% but less than 75% of the shares. Hera invested after the May 2024 £85m investment agreement.

The Teesside Pension Fund, run by Middlesbrough Council and an original investor, remains a cornerstone shareholder with one director on the board. Hera Holdings appoints two directors. GB Bank is a Middlesbrough-based specialist property lender and is not listed.

Who owns Oxbury Bank?

Licensed entity: Oxbury Bank plc. Credit rating and safety record

In May 2025 Oxbury Bank plc's shareholders swapped their shares for shares in a new Jersey ultimate parent, Oxbury plc. The bank is wholly owned by Oxfield Limited (Jersey), which is wholly owned by Oxbury plc. The group is private and not listed.

No shareholder controls Oxbury plc. HL Hutchinson Ltd, Frontier Agriculture Ltd and Grosvenor Food and Agtech Ltd each hold more than 10% but less than 15% of the economic share capital, and the rest is held by 273 investors with under 10% each.

Who owns FirstSave?

Licensed entity: FirstBank UK Limited.

FirstSave is a savings brand, not a separately licensed bank. Its products are provided by FirstBank UK Limited (formerly FBN Bank (UK) Limited, company 04459383, FRN 216772), which is authorised by the PRA and on the Bank of England list of banks.

FirstBank UK's immediate parent is First Bank of Nigeria Limited. Its ultimate parent and controlling party is First HoldCo Plc (formerly FBN Holdings), listed on the Nigerian Exchange.

Press report: First HoldCo's chairman Femi Otedola raised his stake through 2026 to about 26.6% by late August 2026, partly through Calvados Global Services Limited, and has said he intends to build a stake above 51%.

Who owns Arbuthnot Latham?

Licensed entity: Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited (company 00819519) is wholly owned by Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC, which Companies House records as holding 75% or more of its shares and voting rights.

Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC is listed on AIM; its chairman Sir Henry Angest held 9,692,185 ordinary shares, 59.88 per cent of the voting shares, after buying 300,000 shares on 26 March 2026.

Who owns C. Hoare & Co?

Licensed entity: C. Hoare & Co.. Credit rating and safety record

C. Hoare & Co. (company 00240822) is a private unlimited company; Companies House lists six members of the Hoare family (Richard Rennie, Alexander Simon, Venetia Elizabeth, Simon Merrik, Alexander Richard Quintin and Arabella Saxon Hoare) as persons with significant influence or control.

The bank states that its board includes seven shareholding Partners, all descendants of the founder Richard Hoare, alongside non-family directors including the non-executive chairman and the chief executive.

Who owns Weatherbys Bank?

Licensed entity: Weatherbys Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Weatherbys Bank Limited (company 02943300) is owned by Weatherbys Bank Holdings Ltd (company 05659237), which Companies House records as holding 75% or more of its shares and voting rights.

Weatherbys Bank Holdings Ltd is controlled through family trusts: Companies House has listed three trustees (David Bellamy, Pollyanna Carr and Harry Lawson-Johnston) as persons with significant control since 1 May 2024, replacing Johnny and Roger Weatherby, whose entries ceased that day.

The bank's 2025 annual report describes Weatherbys Banking Group as a family-owned business; We found no report of a sale or change of ownership in 2024-2026.

Who owns Brown Shipley?

Licensed entity: Brown Shipley & Co. Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Brown Shipley & Co. Limited (company 00398426) is wholly owned by Quintet Private Bank (Europe) S.A. of Luxembourg; its 2025 annual report calls it a privately and wholly owned subsidiary of Quintet with only one shareholder.

The same report states that since July 2012 the Quintet group has been more than 99.9% owned by Precision Capital LLC, a Qatari company representing a group of Qatari private investors. We found no report of a sale of Brown Shipley or Quintet in 2024-2026.

The Bank of England lists Brown Shipley & Co. Limited (FRN 124548) among banks incorporated in the UK authorised to accept deposits, so it is a UK subsidiary rather than a branch of the Luxembourg parent.

Who owns EFG Private Bank?

Licensed entity: EFG Private Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

EFG Private Bank Limited (company 02321802) is owned by EFG International AG of Zurich, a company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, which Companies House records as holding 75% or more of its shares and voting rights.

EFG International reported its largest shareholders at 30 June 2025 as EFG Bank European Financial Group SA (45.9%) and BTG Pactual (16.6%). We could not retrieve the 31 December 2025 shareholder table.

The Bank of England lists EFG Private Bank Limited (FRN 144036) among banks incorporated in the UK authorised to accept deposits, so it is a UK subsidiary rather than a branch of the Swiss group.

Who owns Hampden Bank?

Licensed entity: Hampden & Co plc. Credit rating and safety record

Hampden & Co plc, trading as Hampden Bank since March 2024, is an Edinburgh private bank with no holding company. Its 2025 accounts say there is no overall controlling party, and its PSC register has said since 2016 that no person holds more than 25%.

The bank is backed by four cornerstone shareholders, including the family-owned Hampden Group of insurance and Lloyd's businesses, which gave the bank its name, plus several hundred smaller investors. We could not verify the cornerstone holders' current percentages.

Who owns Handelsbanken?

Licensed entity: Handelsbanken plc. Credit rating and safety record

Handelsbanken plc is a UK-incorporated bank (company 11305395) wholly owned by Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) of Stockholm, which Companies House records as holding 75% or more of its shares and voting rights.

Handelsbanken's UK business was moved out of the UK branch of Svenska Handelsbanken AB into the new UK subsidiary Handelsbanken plc with High Court approval; the bank announced the subsidiary had launched on 3 December 2018.

The Bank of England's list of PRA-regulated banks as at 1 October 2026 places Handelsbanken plc among banks incorporated in the UK authorised to accept deposits (FRN 806852), so it is a UK subsidiary rather than a branch of the Swedish parent.

Who owns Bank of Ireland UK?

Licensed entity: Bank of Ireland (UK) plc. Credit rating and safety record

Bank of Ireland UK is a trading name of Bank of Ireland (UK) plc, incorporated in England and Wales (company 07022885). It is owned by The Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland, which Companies House records as holding 75% or more of its shares and votes; that company is a subsidiary of the listed Bank of Ireland Group plc.

The Bank of England lists Bank of Ireland (UK) Plc (FRN 512956) among banks incorporated in the UK. Separately, The Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland is listed as a bank incorporated outside the UK accepting deposits through a UK branch, which is a different entity from the UK subsidiary.

In December 2023 Bank of Ireland extended its UK Post Office partnership to a minimum end date of 2031, focused on savings and dropping Post Office-branded mortgages and personal loans, and ended its partnership with The AA. Bank of Ireland UK states that the FSCS limit (£120,000) applies to combined deposits under the Bank of Ireland UK and Post Office brands.

Post Office (savings): The Post Office states that all Post Office savings accounts other than ISAs are provided by Bank of Ireland UK, and that savings in Post Office cash ISAs (provided by OneFamily) are deposited with Bank of Ireland UK.

Who owns AIB (NI) and Allied Irish Bank (GB)?

Licensed entity: AIB Group (UK) p.l.c.. Credit rating and safety record

AIB Group (UK) p.l.c. is incorporated in Northern Ireland (company NI018800) and is owned by AIB Group p.l.c. of Dublin, which Companies House records as holding 75% or more of its shares and voting rights. The Bank of England lists it among banks incorporated in the UK (FRN 122088).

The Irish Department of Finance sold its last shares in AIB Group plc in June 2025, reducing the State's shareholding to zero, so AIB Group plc is now entirely in private ownership.

AIB (NI): AIB announced in April 2019 that First Trust Bank would rebrand as AIB, trading as AIB (NI) in Northern Ireland from November 2019; the First Trust Bank name is no longer used.

Allied Irish Bank (GB): AIB Group (UK) p.l.c. trades in Great Britain as Allied Irish Bank (GB); AIB's 2026 half-year report says that in Great Britain it serves corporate customers with sector-specific expertise. We found no announcement of an AIB exit from Great Britain.

Who owns Danske Bank (Northern Ireland)?

Licensed entity: Northern Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Danske Bank in Northern Ireland is a trading name of Northern Bank Limited, registered in Northern Ireland (R568), which Companies House records as owned by Danske Bank A/S of Copenhagen with 75% or more of its shares.

The Bank of England lists Northern Bank Limited (FRN 122261) among banks incorporated in the UK, so it is a UK subsidiary. Danske Bank A/S also appears separately as a bank incorporated outside the UK accepting deposits through a UK branch, which is a different entity. We found no report of a sale of the Northern Ireland bank in 2024-2026.

Danske Bank (Northern Ireland): The Danske Bank UK website states that Danske Bank is a trading name of Northern Bank Limited, registered in Northern Ireland R568, Donegall Square West, Belfast.

Who owns Standard Chartered?

Licensed entity: Standard Chartered Bank. Credit rating and safety record

Standard Chartered Bank (Companies House ZC000018, incorporated in England by Royal Charter) is owned by Standard Chartered Holdings Limited, which holds 75% or more of its shares and votes and is a subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC. The Bank of England lists it among banks incorporated in the UK (FRN 114276).

Standard Chartered PLC's largest shareholder is Temasek Holdings of Singapore; a notification received on 4 March 2026 put its voting rights at 18.01% (405.30 million shares) from 2 March 2026. Press report via notification summary.

Who owns AlRayan Bank?

Licensed entity: AlRayan Bank Limited (formerly Al Rayan Bank PLC). Credit rating and safety record

The UK bank changed its name from Al Rayan Bank PLC and re-registered as a private company on 3 June 2026; it is now AlRayan Bank Limited (company 04483430), registered office 4 Stratford Place, London.

Its confirmation statement made on 1 June 2026 lists AlRayan Bank Q.P.S.C. holding 10,252,081,295 of 13,870,121,748 ordinary shares (about 73.9%) and Qatar Holding LLC 3,417,360,432 (about 24.6%), with the rest held by many small shareholders. Further shares were allotted on 21 July 2026, and We could not see who received them.

AlRayan Bank is the trade name that Masraf Al Rayan Q.P.S.C., listed in Qatar, adopted on 26 November 2024. The Bank of England lists AlRayan Bank Limited (FRN 229148) among banks incorporated in the UK authorised to accept deposits, so it is a UK subsidiary rather than a branch.

Who owns Gatehouse Bank?

Licensed entity: Gatehouse Bank plc. Credit rating and safety record

Gatehouse Bank plc's 2025 accounts state that its immediate parent, ultimate parent undertaking and ultimate controlling party is Gatehouse Financial Group Limited of St Helier, Jersey, and that the Kuwait Investment Authority and The Securities House are shareholders of Gatehouse Financial Group Limited.

Companies House lists the Kuwait Investment Authority, acting for the Government of Kuwait, as a person with significant control holding more than 25% but not more than 50% of the shares. The board includes directors representing The Securities House and the KIA.

Who owns Triodos Bank UK?

Licensed entity: Triodos Bank UK Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Triodos Bank UK Limited (company 11379025) is owned by Triodos Bank N.V. of Zeist, Netherlands, which Companies House records as holding 75% or more of its shares and voting rights. It became the UK subsidiary in 2019, replacing the UK branch of Triodos Bank N.V.

Depository receipts for shares in Triodos Bank N.V. have traded on Euronext Amsterdam since 18 June 2025 (ticker TRIO), after trading on the Captin multilateral trading facility from July 2023.

The Bank of England lists Triodos Bank UK Limited (FRN 817008) among banks incorporated in the UK authorised to accept deposits. We found no report of a sale of the UK bank in 2024-2026; the group's 2026 disposals concerned Germany.

Who owns Charity Bank?

Licensed entity: The Charity Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

At 31 December 2025 Better Society Capital Limited (formerly Big Society Capital) held 16,973,812 shares, 50.49% of Charity Bank's ordinary share capital and 49.99% of the voting rights; CAF Nominees Ltd (beneficial owner Charities Aid Foundation) held 12.19% of the shares and 12.31% of the votes.

Companies House records Better Society Capital Limited (company 07599565) as holding more than 50% but less than 75% of the shares, and more than 25% but not more than 50% of the voting rights. The annual report says the bank remains 100% owned by charities, trusts and social purpose organisations.

Who owns Unity Trust Bank?

Licensed entity: Unity Trust Bank plc. Credit rating and safety record

Unity Trust Bank's 2025 accounts state that it does not have an ultimate parent company, and Companies House records a statement that it has no registrable person or legal entity with significant control. The bank was founded by trade unions in 1984 and describes its shareholders as including trade unions.

In December 2015 Unity bought back shares from The Co-operative Bank, which kept 6.7% and lost its controlling interest and its right to appoint directors. We could not verify whether The Co-operative Bank or any other co-operative body still holds shares today.

Who owns Reliance Bank?

Licensed entity: Reliance Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

Reliance Bank Limited (company 00068835) is wholly owned by The Salvation Army International Trustee Company, which Companies House records as holding 75% or more of its shares. The 49% holding of The Salvation Army Trustee Company was removed from the register on 1 November 2018.

The bank's annual accounts for the year to 31 March 2026 describe it as wholly owned by The Salvation Army International Trustee Company, its parent company.

Who owns CAF Bank?

Licensed entity: CAF Bank Limited. Credit rating and safety record

CAF Bank Limited (company 01837656) describes itself in its accounts for the year to 30 April 2025 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), its parent.

Companies House holds a statement that CAF Bank has no registrable person or legal entity with significant control, which does not contradict the accounts' description of CAF as owner. We found no report of a change of ownership in 2024-2026.