Bankers are considering United Biscuit’s business options, with the potential sale of its £500m salty snacks division on the table, according to the Financial Times.

The owners of United Biscuits, home to brands such as McVitie’s, Penguin and McCoy’s, have been looking at separating the salty snacks business from the larger biscuit business, with the help of Credit Suisse, it has been reported.

United Biscuits is owned by US private equity group Blackstone, and French buy-out firm, PAI Partners.

In July 2010, British Baker reported that the biscuit and snack manufacturer was looking for a new owner, with the business rumoured to be worth around £2bn.