Starling Bank eyes IPO but rules out listing in 2026
Chief executive Raman Bhatia says the digital lender is preparing for a public market debut, though timing and venue remain undecided.
Starling Bank is positioning itself for a potential initial public offering, but will not seek a listing this year, according to comments from its chief executive reported by The Sunday Times.
Raman Bhatia said the bank is firmly on a trajectory towards becoming a publicly listed company, describing it as structurally and strategically ready for life on the stock market.
However, he cautioned that any flotation would not take place in 2026, signalling that management is prioritising further growth and operational maturity before approaching investors.
The bank was last valued at £2.5 billion in 2022 and has since been linked to discussions around a secondary share sale that could imply a valuation closer to £4 billion.
Bhatia told The Sunday Times that Starling should be viewed as a “coiled spring”, with significant expansion still available in its core UK banking business.
He said the decision on when and where to list would ultimately rest with shareholders, leaving open whether the company would choose London or an overseas exchange.
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While stopping short of committing to the UK market, Bhatia confirmed discussions had taken place with the London Stock Exchange, and welcomed recent reforms designed to make London listings more attractive.
For now, Starling remains focused on scaling its customer base and strengthening earnings, laying the groundwork for what management expects to be a large-scale public offering in the years ahead.
