Nationwide and Investec are among firms preparing to bid for UK lender Aldermore, as its South African owner FirstRand seeks an exit. Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners is also reportedly preparing an offer, with a September deadline looming.

The potential sale of Aldermore by FirstRand signals consolidation among specialist UK lenders and could lead to new ownership structures for a significant challenger bank, impacting competition and service offerings in the UK lending market.
Nationwide and Investec are among the firms preparing to submit bids for UK challenger bank Aldermore, as its South African parent company FirstRand seeks to exit the business. Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners is also reportedly preparing an offer, with a September deadline anticipated for proposals.
FirstRand announced its intention to sell Aldermore in April, a decision that followed a significant increase in provisions linked to the UK's motor finance mis-selling scandal. The company has set aside £750 million to cover anticipated costs associated with this issue.
Reports suggest that the sale process may allow potential buyers to submit separate offers for Aldermore's core banking operations and its motor-finance division, MotoNovo. This approach could appeal to a wider range of bidders looking to acquire specific parts of the business.