METRO Bank, the new high street lender centred on London and the Home Counties of England, has raised £126 million which it will use to accelerate the expansion of its branch network.

The privately-owned bank plans to open seven outlets in London and centres such as Brighton and Reading to add to the 12 it already operates.

Launched in July 2010, Metro Bank says it has grown at a rapid rate ahead of plan. It says it has more than 80,000 personal and business accounts.

It said the investment came from new and existing institutional and personal investors. The bank was founded by billionaire Vernon Hill. The Fidelity fund management business supported a £52m fund-raising in 2010.