START-up bank NBNK and mutually owned Co-operative Group have been shortlisted as prospective buyers of a 632 branch portfolio being sold by Lloyds Banking Group, although a stock market listing also remains a strong possibility.
It is understood that Sun Capital, the vehicle of entrepreneur Hugh Osmond, which was also in the running, lost out because its bid was regarded as less competitive than that of the others when the second-round offers were submitted earlier this month.
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