A representative for Co-op Bank declined to comment. The sale is being closely watched as one of the first examples of long-touted consolidation among Britain's midsize lenders. Co-op Bank had a book value of 1.3 billion pounds ($1.6 billion) at the end of December. Despite interest from financial investors, Co-op Bank is more focused on a deal with a competitor, two people said. Aldermore, OSB, Paragon and Shawbrook declined to comment.

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Persons: Toby Melville, Aldermore, JC Flowers, Bain, Pablo Mayo Cerqueiro, Andres Gonzalez, Anousha Sakoui, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Bank, REUTERS, Reuters, Paragon Banking Group, Paragon, Bain Capital, Co, Fenchurch Advisory, PJT Partners, Thomson Locations: London, British, Aldermore