Metro Bank Holdings PLC (MTRO) revealed that Spaldy Investments Limited, controlled by Colombian billionaire Jaime Gilinski Bacal, boosted its voting rights stake in the UK challenger bank from 43.78% to 53.03% on 2 September 2026. The regulatory filing, submitted under DTR5 and distributed via EQS Group on 7 September 2026, confirms that Spaldy Investments now directly holds 357,258,617 voting rights linked to Metro Bank’s ordinary shares. This crossing of the 50% ownership threshold marks a significant milestone, granting Spaldy Investments a majority stake in one of the UK’s prominent retail and commercial banks.
Key Highlights
- Metro Bank Holdings PLC (MTRO), ISIN: GB00BMX3W479
- Spaldy Investments Limited increased its voting rights from 43.78% to 53.03% as of 2 September 2026
- Total voting rights held: 357,258,617, all directly attached with no financial instruments involved
- Market participants will monitor potential further share acquisitions or regulatory updates concerning this majority ownership
Spaldy Investments Achieves Majority Voting Rights in Metro Bank as of 2 September 2026
The TR-1 notification confirms that on 2 September 2026, Spaldy Investments Limited crossed the critical 50% voting rights threshold in Metro Bank Holdings, with the bank notified on 4 September and the announcement finalized on 7 September 2026. The stake rose by roughly 9.25 percentage points from 43.78% to 53.03%. All 357,258,617 voting rights are directly held under DTR5.1, with no involvement of financial instruments, options, or similar economic rights disclosed.
Jaime Gilinski Bacal Named as Ultimate Beneficial Owner Behind Spaldy Investments
The filing identifies Jaime Gilinski Bacal as the ultimate controlling individual behind Spaldy Investments Limited, which is registered in Road Town, British Virgin Islands. The shares are held via two nominee companies: Pershing Nominees Limited in Liverpool, UK, and Vidacos Nominees Limited in London, UK. This nominee arrangement is typical for large institutional and high-net-worth holdings and does not affect the beneficial ownership or voting rights reported.
Implications of Majority Stake for Metro Bank’s Governance and Strategy
Metro Bank Holdings, a UK-based retail and commercial bank founded on a high-street branch model serving personal and business clients across England, now faces a significant governance change. With a 53.03% majority voting stake, Spaldy Investments can unilaterally pass ordinary resolutions at shareholder meetings, marking a pivotal shift in control. Minority shareholders will closely watch for strategic updates from the bank’s board. The financial details and consideration related to this share acquisition were not disclosed in the regulatory filing.
