Compare these against whatever you were given. Scammers clone real firm names and reference numbers but use their own phone number and website, so a detail that does not match the register is the clearest warning sign there is.
One Southampton Row, London, WC1B 5HA, United Kingdom
In the full report: 3 background checks
When metrobankonline.co.uk first appeared online, and whether it can receive email
What kind of line 0345 080 8500 is
Who else gives the postcode WC1B 5HA
Other names(3)
If you were contacted under any of these names, it is this firm.
RateSetter Trading name: A name it trades under now.
Metro Bank Private Bank Former trading name: A name it used to trade under.
Metro Private Bank Former trading name: A name it used to trade under.
Warning
Scammers have impersonated this firm
Fraudsters have used this firm's name or details with their own contact
information to appear genuine. Check whatever you were given below, and
against the firm's real details above.
Entering into a regulated mortgage contract as lender
Entering into regulated credit agreement as Lender (Excluding high-cost short-term credit, bill of sale agreement, and home collected credit agreement)
Exercising/having right to exercise lender's rights and duties under a regulated credit agreement (excluding high-cost short-term credit, bill of sale agreement, and home collected credit agreement)
Making arrangements with a view to regulated mortgage contracts
Making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments
FCA disciplinary action and Ombudsman complaints
FCA action
fines
3
in fines
£22.1m
most recent
November 2024
Fined £16.68m on 12 November 2024
On 12 November 2024, the FCA imposed a financial penalty on Metro Bank Plc. The reason for this action is because Metro Bank Plc breached Principle 3 of the FCA's Principles for Businesses between 6 June 2016 and 17 December 2020. The Authority imposed a financial penalty of £16,675,200. A copy of the Final Notice is displayed on the FCA's website.
Fined on 26 December 2022
On 10 November 2022, the FCA decided to impose a financial penalty on Metro Bank Plc. The reason for this action is because Metro Bank Plc failed to comply with Listing Rule 1.3.3 in 24 October 2018. This matter has not been referred by Metro Bank Plc to the Upper Tribunal. The FCA’s findings and proposed action are therefore final. The FCA’s Final Notice was issued on 8 December and a copy of the Final Notice is displayed on the FCA’s web site.
Fined £5.38m on 21 December 2021
“On 21 December 2021, the PRA issued a Final Notice to Metro Bank plc (“Metro Bank”). For the reasons given in the Final Notice, the PRA imposed a financial penalty of £5,376,000. Metro Bank agreed to settle during the Discount Stage of the PRA’s investigation. As a result, Metro Bank qualified for a 30% settlement discount under the PRA Settlement Policy. Were it not for this discount, the PRA would have imposed a financial penalty of £7,680,000. The PRA’s action took effect on 21 December 2021. A copy of the Final Notice can be found on the Bank of England’s website and can be accessed here ”.
Ombudsman complaints
new complaints, January–June 2025
448
upheld, against a 31% median
30%
about banking and credit
430
A bigger firm gets more complaints simply because it has more customers.
Companies House record
The company behind the firm: its status, age, registered office and directors.
A firm is run by people, and their other companies are their track record:
what they built, what closed, and anything that failed. It is the check most
people never think to make.
other companies
45
closed down
10
went insolvent
1
Lorem Ipsum Holdings LtdDirector · 2014 to 2019Dissolved
Dolor Sit LtdDirector · since 2016FCA-registeredActive
Amet Consectetur Property Services LtdDirector · 2011 to 2015In liquidation
Adipiscing Elit Group LLPSecretary · since 2020Active
In the full report: all 45 companies, named
What each company does, and whether it is still trading
Which of these 13 directors sit on each board, and since when
The one that went into liquidation or administration
The 14 on the FCA register
The 4 companies these 13 directors run together
All 35 people who have ever been directors, with their dates
Key dates in its history
Metro Bank’s history from the FCA register and Companies House, newest first.
Metro Bank Holdings PLC took control (75–100% of shares)
Companies House
2022
26 December 2022
Fined by the FCA
FCA register
2021
21 December 2021
Fined £5.38m by the PRA
FCA register
24 February 2021
FCA warned the public about a scam impersonating this firm
FCA warning list
2013
1 April 2013
Regulated by the FCA from this date
Regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority from this date
FCA register
2010
5 March 2010
Regulated by the Financial Services Authority from this date
Became authorised by the FCA
FCA register · Companies House
2007
6 November 2007
Incorporated at Companies House
Companies House
In the full report: all 72 events
All 72 events in its history (10 shown here)
Every director appointment and resignation: 55
Firms connected to Metro Bank
Other FCA-listed firms that share a director, phone number or address with Metro Bank. A link shows who the firm is tied to, not whether either can be trusted.
connected firms
8
share a director
8
share its postcode
2
Lorem Ipsum Finance LtdAuthorisedShared director
Dolor Sit LtdNo longer authorisedSame phone number
Amet Consectetur Capital Partners LtdAppointed representativeSame postcode
Adipiscing LLPAuthorisedShared director
In the full report: all 8 connected firms, named
How each is linked: shared directors (8), the same postcode (2)
Who links each one: the named directors, with dates
3 past links through former directors
Firms like Metro Bank
Other firms of the same type (bank or building society), nearest first.
Firms are listed by type and location, best known first. Being listed is not a recommendation: check any firm before you deal with it.
Get the full report on Metro Bank
Everything on this page, plus everything locked above, in one dated PDF you can keep, file or send on.
45 other companies its directors have run, named
3 background checks on its contact details
All 72 events in its history
8 connected firms, named, and who links them
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FirmSearch Report
Metro Bank PLC
Reference 488982 25 October 2026
Frequently asked questions about this firm
Is Metro Bank PLC FCA authorised?
Yes, Metro Bank PLC (FRN 488982) is authorised by the FCA to carry out regulated activities. It has held its current authorisation since March 2010 and works as a bank or building society. The FCA has placed no limits on its permissions.
What is Metro Bank’s phone number and website?
The FCA register lists the phone number 0345 080 8500 and the website metrobankonline.co.uk for Metro Bank. If you were given different contact details, use these to check with the firm before going any further.
Is Metro Bank a scam or clone?
Scammers have impersonated Metro Bank: the FCA has published a warning about fake versions of it, using contact details that are not the firm's. Only trust the details the FCA register gives for Metro Bank, shown on this page.
Is my money safe with Metro Bank?
It depends on the product, but eligible claims may be protected by the FSCS. You can also refer complaints about Metro Bank to the Financial Ombudsman Service, free of charge.
Who owns Metro Bank?
Metro Bank is owned by Metro Bank Holdings PLC, which holds 75–100% of shares and 75–100% of votes, since 19 May 2023.
Who runs Metro Bank?
Companies House lists 13 directors of Metro Bank: Catherine Ann Brown, Pavandeep Paul Thandi, Michael Gerard Torpey, Daniel Sweeney Frumkin, Robert Sharpe, Dorita Gilinski and 7 more.
How long has Metro Bank been in business?
The company was formed on 6 November 2007, and has held its current FCA authorisation since March 2010.
Has the FCA taken action against Metro Bank?
Yes. The FCA register records 3 fines between 2021 and 2024, £22.05m across 2 of the 3 that state an amount. The details are in the disciplinary section above, with links to the FCA's notices.
How many complaints does Metro Bank get?
In January–June 2025, the Financial Ombudsman Service received 448 new complaints about Metro Bank, and upheld 30% of those it decided.
Does Metro Bank use any other names?
It trades as RateSetter. It has previously used 2 other names: Metro Bank Private Bank and Metro Private Bank.