The findings are the result of a survey of clients conducted by Hargreaves Lansdown following George Osborne’s announcement that Lloyds is ready to be returned to private ownership.
An IPO could come this autumn, with shares being offered to institutional investors before being released for the retail market.
A total 65% of participants said they would participate in a Lloyds Bank IPO.
Richard Hunter, Head of Equities at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: ““Lloyds Banking Group is already back making profits; it has cut costs and largely repaired its balance sheet. The time seems right for an IPO and the share price is now back to around the same level that it was when it was bailed out in 2008. Since it was the taxpayer who stepped in during Lloyd’s hour of need, it is only right that the taxpayer should have the opportunity to share in the Bank’s recovery via a retail offering.
A private sector sell back for RBS is much further off, although details are expected to be announced next week following the departure of chief executive Stephen Hester.
A survey conducted by YouGov found 74% of the British public think the government should hold onto its stake in RBS, and of them 43% say this should be done in the hope that shares continue to recover and the government can sell it for a higher price later on.
The remaining 31% believe it should be run as a nationalised bank for the foreseeable future, and just 10% believe it should be sold in the near future, even if it means doing so at a loss.
