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Lloyds Bank Shares Worth £4.2bn To Be Sold

Taxpayers have been left with a 25% stake in Lloyds Banking Group as the Government announced plans to sell £4.2bn in shares.

The taxpayer owned 33% of Lloyds but the Treasury has continued with plans to fully return the lender to the private sector.

Some 5.6bn shares were sold to City investors on Tuesday night - raising £4.2bn based on the closing share price of 79.1p.

The shares were bought for 73.6p each, generating £106m profit for the taxpayer.

A Treasury spokesman said: "The Government set out its objectives for its shareholdings in the banks in the Chancellor's annual Mansion House address last June - getting the best value for the taxpayer, maximising support for the economy and restoring private ownership.

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"And, as set out in that address, the Government will only conclude a sale if these objectives are met.

"Building a stronger banking system is a core part of the Government's long-term economic plan to deliver greater economic security."

The Government injected roughly £21bn into Lloyds in October 2008 during the financial crisis, giving it a 43% stake.

In April 2010 Lloyds returned to profit for the first time since its bailout.

The Government made a profit of £61m selling off the first tranche of its shares in September last year.

Antonio Horta-Osorio, chief executive of Lloyds, said: "I am pleased that the Government intends to sell a further stake in Lloyds Banking Group and allow taxpayers to get more of their money back.

"I believe this reflects the hard work undertaken over the last three years to make Lloyds a safe and profitable bank that is focused on helping Britain prosper."

Lloyds posted statutory profits of £415m for 2013 against losses of £606m in 2012 - its first bottom-line profit since 2010.

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