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Lexham Partners Invests in Atom Bank
Lexham Partners, founded by Dominic Perks, is buying a stake in Atom Bank. The deal involves Sanjiv Somani, a key figure in the growth of Chase UK.
English
United Kingdom
TechnologyUkInvestmentFinanceBusinessBanking
Lexham PartnersAtom BankHambro PerksChase UkJp Morgan
Dominic PerksLee RochfordSanjiv Somani
- Who is acquiring a stake in Atom Bank and who founded the acquiring firm?
- Lexham Partners, a new investment vehicle founded by Dominic Perks, is acquiring a multi-million pound stake in Atom Bank, a digital-only lender. The deal involves purchasing shares from existing investors, with Sanjiv Somani of Lexham managing the stake.
- What is Sanjiv Somani's background, and what role will he play in this investment?
- Sanjiv Somani, a partner at Lexham Partners, played a significant role in the launch and growth of Chase UK and JP Morgan's acquisition of Nutmeg. His expertise adds value to Lexham's investment in Atom Bank.
- What are some of the challenges Atom Bank has faced, and what are its future plans?
- Atom Bank, despite its launch after the financial crisis, hasn't achieved the same growth as competitors like Monzo and Starling Bank. The bank implemented a four-day work week in 2021, and an IPO is not expected for at least a year.
- How did Atom Bank's chairman inform investors about the deal, and what was the stated reason for facilitating it?
- Atom Bank's chairman, Lee Rochford, notified investors of the plan in a memo, stating that the deal was facilitated in response to shareholder requests for liquidity. The company has previously described its funding rounds as the last before a potential IPO.
- What is the reported value of the Atom Bank stake being acquired, and how does it compare to previous valuations?
- The acquisition price is reportedly £3.5 million at 40p per share, valuing Atom Bank at around £400 million. This valuation is lower than previous funding rounds, including one in 2015.