Starting gun fired on sale of Lloyds shares

The Treasury will sell six per cent of the bank to big institutions, cutting its stake to 32.7 per cent from 38.7 per cent in a major milestone for the part-nationalised lender.

Chancellor George Osborne kicked off Lloyds’ re-privatisation almost five years after its disastrous acquisition of Halifax Bank of Scotland left the bank needing a £20bn taxpayer bailout.

Shares in Lloyds have soared to three-year highs in recent days on anticipation of an imminent sale. They closed at 77.36p yesterday, above the 61p level at which the Government has said it would break even on its bailout.

Based on yesterday’s closing share price, the sale would recoup £3.31bn for the taxpayer.

However, UK Financial Investments (UKFI), which manages taxpayers’ stakes in the banks, did not say what price it will sell Lloyds shares for, or what the sale will make.

Earlier this year Mr Osborne said the mortgage lending giant was ready to begin its return to private ownership.

A Treasury spokesman said: “UK Financial Investments today advised the Chancellor it would be appropriate to begin the process to sell part of the Government’s shareholding in the Lloyds Banking Group. The Chancellor agrees with that advice and has authorised the process to begin.

“We want to get the best value for the taxpayer, maximise support for the economy and restore them to private ownership. The Government will only conclude a sale if these objectives are met.”

The public will not have a chance to buy Lloyds shares in the first wave, as UKFI will sell them to large institutions – although the public is expected to be able to participate in future share sales.

UKFI added it will not sell more shares for a further three months after completing the share placing.

The sale marks a milestone for Lloyds, which hailed its recovery earlier this summer after swinging out of the red with half-year profits of more than £2bn.

Lloyds chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio said: “I am pleased that the Government has been able to begin the process of selling its stake, and give taxpayers the opportunity to get their money back.

“I believe this reflects the hard work undertaken over the last two years to make Lloyds a safe and profitable bank that is focused on supporting the UK economy.”

Chris Leslie MP, Labour’s shadow financial secretary to the Treasury, said it is “vital that taxpayers get their money back” and this must be the Government’s main consideration.

He said: “As Labour has consistently said any profits from the sale should be used to repay the national debt.”

SNP Treasury spokesman Stewart Hosie said he welcomed the sell-off in principle.

He added: “Our concern was to make sure that the taxpayer receives what was given, so we will be paying particular attention to how the stock is priced, and any other mechanisms put in place which ensure the taxpayer is refunded.”

Matthew Fell, director for competitive markets at business lobby group the CBI, said: “The move to return Lloyds to the market is good news for investors and customers and is testament to the successful recent management of the group.

“A Lloyds that can focus on serving the customer free from state ownership will help support the recovery.”