Acquisition

Barclays PLC
21 May 2007


                                                                   21st May 2007

                                  BARCLAYS PLC

                   BARCLAYS TO ACQUIRE WALBROOK GROUP LIMITED


Barclays Bank PLC ('Barclays') announces that it has signed an agreement to
acquire Walbrook Group Limited ('Walbrook'), an independent fiduciary services
company. Barclays will finance the transaction out of existing cash resources.

Walbrook is based in Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Hong Kong where it serves
high net worth private clients and corporate customers. As at 31st December 2006
Walbrook had gross tangible assets of £13.5m and £8.6bn of client assets.
Barclays will integrate Walbrook into its Wealth Advisory business where it will
build on existing Barclays Wealth operations in the Channel Islands, Isle of
Man, and Hong Kong. Walbrook's executive management has committed to staying
with and helping to develop the combined business.

Thomas L. Kalaris, Chief Executive of Barclays Wealth, said: 'We are delighted
to welcome Walbrook to Barclays Wealth. Walbrook has a strong product and client
offering and geographical footprint that will complement Barclays Wealth. The
acquisition is consistent with our ongoing strategy as we continue to bring a
market leading Wealth Management service to our clients.'

Bryan Dix, Chief Executive of Walbrook said: 'We are excited by the momentum and
the opportunities this transaction creates. Barclays is a great fit, and offers
outstanding opportunities for our people, our business growth and, most
importantly, for our clients.'


                                    - ENDS -

For further information please contact:

Barclays
Investor Relations                Media Relations
Mark Merson/James S Johnson       Robin Tozer
[phone]/2927         [phone]

At Barclays Wealth:
Nicola Hankey/Caroline Wells
[phone]/7435



About Barclays

Barclays PLC is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and
commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and
investment management services. We are one of the largest financial services
companies in the world by market capitalization. With over 300 years of history
and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs
123,000 people, We move, lend, invest and protect money for over 27 million
customers and clients worldwide. For further information about Barclays, please
visit our website www.barclays.com.


About Barclays Wealth

Barclays Wealth is the UK's leading wealth manager and has £93bn client assets
globally. It serves affluent, high net worth and intermediary clients worldwide,
providing international and private banking, financial planning, investment
services and brokerage.


About Walbrook

Walbrook is an independent fiduciary services company based in Jersey, Guernsey,
Isle of Man and Hong Kong. Walbrook serves its clients through specialist client
teams covering either specific services or geographical areas. The specific
services include administration of trust and companies, collective investment
vehicles, special purpose vehicles and employer solutions structures. Walbrook
was established by an MBO from Deloitte in 2003, backed by Hermes Private Equity
and has since been partially owned by Walbrook's management team.


Forward-looking statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section
27A of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to certain of
Barclays plans and its current goals and expectations relating to its future
financial condition and performance. These forward-looking statements can be
identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current
facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as 'aim',
'anticipate', 'target', 'expect', 'estimate', 'intend', 'plan', 'goal',
'believe', or other words of similar meaning. Examples of forward-looking
statements include, among others, statements regarding Barclays future financial
position, income growth, impairment charges, business strategy, projected levels
of growth in the banking and financial markets, projected costs, estimates of
capital expenditures, and plans and objectives for future operations.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because
they relate to future events and circumstances, including, but not limited to,
global as well as US economic and business conditions, market related risks such
as changes in interest rates and exchange rates, the policies and actions of
governmental and regulatory authorities, changes in legislation, and the impact
of competition - a number of which factors are beyond Barclays control. As a
result, Barclays actual future results may differ materially from the plans,
goals, and expectations set forth in Barclays forward-looking statements. Any
forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Barclays speak only as of the
date they are made. Barclays does not undertake to update forward-looking
statements to reflect any changes in Barclays expectations with regard thereto
or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such
statement is based. The reader should, however, consult any additional
disclosures that Barclays has made or may make in documents it has filed or may
file with the SEC.



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